Deputies: Boy, 15, tried to rob Lakeland McDonald’s worker; shot nearby vehicle

LAKELAND, Fla. — A 15-year-old boy is being charged with attempted murder after he tried to rob a McDonald’s employee, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Records show Demarion Wilson was arrested Thursday morning on charges including attempted murder, attempted armed burglary and possession of marijuana.

Deputies said Wilson attempted to rob an employee at gunpoint around 1:38 a.m. behind the McDonald’s on Shepherd Road in Lakeland.

Watch: Sheriff: 4 home invasion suspects in custody after 4-county chase ends in Orange County

Investigators said the employee told two people in a parked car nearby to call 911, and Wilson fired three shots toward the car, striking it once.

Deputies said Wilson then ran away before he was arrested by deputies while hiding in the bushes behind a Publix shopping plaza.

Read: When the food runs out, what’s next? : Florida families worry about delayed summer P-EBT benefits

According to a report, Wilson was in possession of a Glock 9mm and a black mask.

No one was injured in the shooting, officials said.

See: Police search for man who robbed bank in Altamonte Springs

“It’s aggravating that a 15-year-old would be out in the middle of the night robbing people at gunpoint and shooting at people,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “It’s completely unacceptable, so we’re going meet with the State Attorney’s Office about charging this suspect as an adult. We need juveniles to realize that we’re not going to tolerate such abhorrent, dangerous behavior.”

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group