Palm Bay boy arrested in BB gun shooting

PALM BAY, Fla. — An 11-year-old Palm Bay boy was arrested on charges of shooting a girl with an air soft-type BB gun, according to officials.

Police said he took aim at his siblings too, but hit a girl in his neighborhood.

Channel 9's Melonie Holt spoke to the girl's mother who said she has mixed feelings about the boy’s arrest.

She also said she's lost sleep thinking about this young boy in detention, where he's facing a charge of aggravated battery.

She also said she decided to pursue charges with Palm Bay police because her child has a right to feel safe.

Officers said the girl was riding her bike through her neighborhood Wednesday when she told her mom she was shot with an airsoft-type BB gun twice.

“One shot hit her in the arm then he got closer to her and shot her again,” Yvonne Martinez, a spokesperson with the Palm Bay Police Department, said.

The girl asked the 11-year-old boy why he shot her.

She said his response was "because it was funny.”

The girl's mother was not amused.

Off camera she told Holt it was a difficult decision to contact police, but she said the suspect has difficulty with boundaries and showed no remorse for his actions.

We're not identifying the boy because of his age.

“He's an 11-year-old child and he's facing a serious felony charge but that doesn't mean the book will be thrown at him,” Martinez said.

The family pursuing charges said it wants the boy to get help.

Neighbors also had mixed reactions to Wednesday's arrest.

“It sounds like he did wrong, but I wouldn't arrest him,” Susy Jurgens, a neighbor, said.

“He could have a few hours of community service, take away his favorite games, TV or no playing outside,” Bernardete Freitas said.

The 11-year-old suspect is being held in juvenile detention, but it will be up to the State Attorney's Office to make a final decision on charges.

WFTV