A 16-year-old boy accused of pulling out a gun while in a crowd of spring breakers at New Smyrna Beach last week is being charged as an adult.
On Thursday, March 14, at around 3:45 p.m. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling the area of the beach to the north of Flagler Avenue when they heard a crowd yelling and dispersing, with some people shouting, “He has a gun,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputies ran toward the scene and observed a teenager, later identified as Felixander Solis-Guzman, allegedly wielding a handgun. VCSO stated that the deputies advanced toward Solis-Guzman with their firearms drawn while ordering him to drop the gun.
According to VCSO, Solis-Guzman proceeded to flee from the deputies while still holding the gun. He ran through crowds of people on the beach before heading into the Atlantic Ocean.
While in the water, the sheriff’s office stated that Solis-Guzman threw the gun and a bag that he was carrying into the ocean.
Five minutes later, Solis-Guzman surrendered to deputies and was taken into custody without further incident. There were no injuries reported.
Deputies searched the nearby water and recovered a gun. They also found a bag containing 20 small plastic baggies of marijuana, according to the sheriff’s office.
Solis-Guzman was arrested and initially taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before being transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (three counts), possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18, improper exhibition of a firearm, commission of a second-degree felony with a weapon, resisting a law enforcement officer, tampering with evidence (two counts), and sale of marijuana.
In addition, Solis-Guzman was also arrested on seven active no-bond warrants out of Orange County, including robbery with a firearm and violation of probation.
A day after Solis-Guzman was arrested, the State Attorney’s Office of the Seventh Judicial Circuit announced that adult charges have been filed against him. An order was then made to transfer him to Volusia County Jail.
“This 16-year-old [allegedly] brought drugs and a gun to Volusia County during spring break,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about this case. “He will now face adult charges and serious consequences for his reckless actions.”