- April 19, 2024
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A 17-year-old Matanzas High School student has been arrested and charged with two felonies for using a Taser on another student, arcing it repeatedly for 4 minutes. Electrical stun weapons can be lethal, especially when used improperly: A Reuter's investigation from 2019 estimated that 1,081 people in the U.S. had died after being shocked with Tasers.
On April 7, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ralph Carter Park after receiving reports of an active Disturbance with Weapons.
Upon arrival, deputies witnessed multiple vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot and multiple subjects standing around and yelling.
A woman on scene said several juveniles arrived at her residence trying to fight her son. Juveniles allegedly said they would "shoot up the place," but it was not clear who'd made that statement.
From there, the juveniles made a plan to solve the argument by physically fighting at Ralph Carter Park.
The woman said she tried to calm the situation before it escalated, but could not. She told deputies that once the fight began, an unknown female grabbed a baseball bat and struck a vehicle, causing the juveniles to run before reconvening to fight. Deputies were unable to locate the baseball bat or damaged cars.
A juvenile male at the park was vomiting continuously.
Deputies spoke with him, and he said that he was beaten by numerous subjects and was shocked multiple times with a Taser.
The victim had marks consistent with a Taser on his left abdomen, left arm, and on his back. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Footage of the fight showed multiple suspects attacking the juvenile male. A 17-year-old female can be seen using a Taser on the victim throughout the duration of the four-minute video.
She was still on the scene and was detained in handcuffs.
When questioned about the incident, the 17-year-old suspect said that during the fight, the victim kicked her, so she used her Taser on him. An arrest report noted that she described using the Taser "without having any remorse for her actions."
“There is no doubt that without the intervention of family members and law enforcement, this feud between these two groups will continue and will escalate until someone is seriously injured or killed,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We have 30 to 40 people all participating in a brawl at a park. This is completely unacceptable, and is not the way to solve a disagreement. One juvenile is already in custody, and the investigation is on ongoing. Anyone participating in this kind of behavior in our community is going to be arrested. I promise you, no argument is worth losing your life over or being arrested for a serious crime. Parents, know where your kids and young adults are, know what they’re doing on social media, and know who they are hanging around with. It is my job to be the head law enforcement officer of the county, but it is your responsibility to be the main law enforcement officer of your household.”
The 17-year-old suspect was arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
She is being charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Using a Weapon while Committing a Second-Degree Felony.
She is in custody at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Daytona Beach.
Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Cell phone video of the incident can be viewed here (warning: Video contains profanity, racial slurs, and violence): YouTube.
The FCSO is asking anyone with information regarding this case or any threats of retaliation to email [email protected]. For emergencies, dial 911.
