RIVERVIEW, Fla — A 14-year-old boy is in custody after authorities say he shot and killed his mother on Saturday afternoon. The sheriff's office said the teenager also shot his mother's boyfriend, who is now in critical condition.
"This scene behind me is one that nightmares are made of," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
Chronister said the teenager shot and killed his mother, shot her boyfriend five times, and attempted to shoot his older brother. He was taken into custody after a standoff with authorities.
The sheriff's office said just after 4 p.m., deputies responded to the 11000 block of Lynmoor Drive in the Summerfield subdivision after several people called 911 and reported a young man running through the subdivision with a gun.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the teenager, who held the gun to his head and threatened to shoot himself, according to authorities.
"They come into contact with the young male and immediately begin to de-escalate the situation," Chronister said.
After 16 minutes of negotiations and the use of a 40-millimeter projectile launcher, a less lethal form of gaining compliance, Chronister said the teen was taken into custody.
During the standoff, the sheriff's office said additional units went to another home in the subdivision where the boyfriend ran to for help after he was shot. He was taken to a local hospital, where he's currently in critical condition.
After the teenager was taken into custody, the sheriff's office said they found his mother dead on a driveway down the street.
"This family's lives have been changed forever. They lost a mother. This mother's life is over, and when I tell you that this is one of nightmares, this is heartbreaking."
Chronister said authorities believe the suspect was running through the neighborhood to find his mother's boyfriend to "finish the job."
The older brother ran from the home and was not hurt.
Chronister urged anyone who believes they're a victim of domestic violence or thinks they could be to contact The Spring, which provides safe spaces and empowering services to survivors of domestic violence and their children. You can contact them at 813-248-7233.
