A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday afternoon after he was accused of pulling out a gun while in a crowd of spring breakers at New Smyrna Beach.
At around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 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 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 taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before being transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He is facing the following charges: 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.