A 16-year-old boy was arrested after Charlotte County deputies said he fired a gun during a fight at Harold Avenue Regional Park in Port Charlotte. The teen, identified as Donte Woods, allegedly brought the firearm to a confrontation between two groups of teens, and it discharged when he swung the gun at another teenager and missed.
According to Gulf Coast News and Weather, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office responded to the park at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday after receiving reports of gunshots. By the time deputies arrived, the parties involved had already fled, and investigators weren't able to locate any shell casings at the scene.
Detectives eventually identified Woods as a suspect after an anonymous tip helped point them toward those allegedly involved. Woods had worn a mask during the confrontation, but the report notes the victim said he was able to identify him when the mask fell off as Woods racked the weapon.
Gun and Jacket Recovered in Nearby Woods
Investigators believe Woods may have hidden the firearm in a wooded area behind nearby apartments after the fight. The same report details that detectives found a red jacket hidden under some brush, along with a black Glock 19 tucked inside a plastic bag.
The recovered pistol had a purple grip, three magazines, 13 rounds of ammunition and two spent rounds, per the same account. The sheriff's office said the firearm matched the description of the weapon connected to the incident at the park.
Felony Charge and Juvenile Justice Transfer
Woods was arrested on Sunday and taken to the Charlotte County Jail on one felony charge of aggravated assault without intent to kill, the station reported. He was later transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice, with a court date scheduled for Nov. 10.
The case adds to a string of recent local reports on the arrest, including coverage from WINK News, Classic Country 104.5 and MySuncoast. Investigators have not detailed why shell casings weren't found at the scene, and the outcome of next month's court appearance remains to be seen.
