Dispute over Christmas presents leads to tragic shooting in Florida family

Damarcus Coley, aged 14, had a disagreement with his 15-year-old brother Darcus in the store over who would receive more presents. The debate continued even after the family had returned home.

Police reports suggest that an angry Damarcus at one point pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot his brother in the head, at which point their uncle intervened and asked the 14-year-old to step outside.

Abrielle, the siblings' 23-year-old sister, was outside the house at the time. She attempted to pacify her agitated brother. A surveillance camera in a neighbour's backyard captured her words.

You all need to calm down. Why are you getting worked up? It's Christmas - the 23-year-old told her brother, whilst holding her baby in a carrier.

Regrettably, Damarcus did not heed her advice. He shot the 23-year-old in the chest. The bullet pierced her lung, causing instant death. The baby was unharmed.

14-year-old Darcus, upon hearing the fatal shot, rushed out into the yard and fired at his brother, then discarded the gun and fled to seek help from a relative's house. The police apprehended both brothers on the same day.

Damarcus underwent surgery in the hospital and will soon be transferred to a juvenile correctional facility. He is being charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and illegal possession of a firearm by a minor. Darcus faces charges of attempted murder and tampering with physical evidence, and he has been placed in a mental health center.

This is what happens when we have young offenders carrying guns. They become agitated, unable to handle the situation, they resort to their gun and start shooting - commented Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri as quoted by the "Tampa Bay Times".