Chaos erupted in the Las Calinas Subdivision on Halloween when deputies were called to the scene of a disturbance involving several juveniles. According to a statement obtained by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office's social media post, 911 callers reported that at least one firearm was brandished during the incident. In an effort to quickly diffuse the situation, deputies enlisted the assistance of the SJSO Air Unit which spotted a suspicious vehicle making its way out from the area.
A traffic stop was subsequently conducted, allowing officers to come into contact with a group of juveniles. Among them, a 17-year-old male, who was clad in an inmate costume and had taken the opportunity of disguise to try to deliberately blend into the festivities of the night, made an attempt to boldly flee on foot. He was, however, promptly apprehended by law enforcement. A concealed .45 caliber handgun was found on him, and he faces charges of Resisting without Violence and Possession of a Firearm by a Minor.
Local authorities are likely to remain vigilant in the wake of this event, with the Sheriff’s Office and community members forced to once again reconsider the fine line between holiday celebrations and public safety. The suspect is currently being held as the investigation proceeds and the community begins to recover from yet another alarming incident that has marred the communal peace.
