Volusia County

Girl, 14, boy, 12, charged with attempted murder after getting into shootout with Volusia deputies

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy are now facing attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement officers and armed burglary charges after they got into a shootout with Volusia deputies Tuesday night, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the children, Nicole Jackson and Travis O’Brien, broke into a house after running away from the Florida United Methodist Children’s home.

READ: ‘So full of hate’: Bodycam, aerial footage shows dramatic shootout after 2 children open fire on Volusia County deputies

In the home, they armed themselves with the homeowners AK-47, a pump shot gun and a pistol. They had 200 rounds of ammo at the ready.

Deputies tried for more than a half hour to calm things down.

PHOTOS: Girl, 14, injured in shootout with deputies

Jackson was shot three times and rushed to a hospital. O’Brien eventually surrendered.

O’Brienmade his first appearance on Thursday morning. The judge said O’Brien will spend 21 days at a secure detention center. His arraignment date is June 23.

READ: Timeline: Sheriff gives minute-by-minute details of shootout between children, deputies

Channel 9 received a statement from the Florida United Methodist Children’s home, which said in part that “this is a result of the system failing our kids.” It also stated that it is placing a moratorium on its emergency shelter program for 30 days.

Watch body-camera video below. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT:

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.