WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A 13-year-old from the Florida Panhandle is accused of driving with a loaded revolver in their vehicle, along with a marijuana pipe, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy stopped the teen at about 2 a.m. CST. The teen was observed “driving erratically” in an SUV on U.S. 98, WEAR-TV reported.
Investigators said the teen initially drove away from the scene but struck a large construction barrel as the SUV entered a construction zone, according to the television station.
“The deputy was finally able to get the vehicle stopped and discovered a 13-year-old behind the wheel,” the sheriff’s office said in its release. “A search of the SUV revealed a fully loaded .38 special revolver, a vape, and a marijuana pipe.”
The juvenile was issued a criminal citation for driving without a license, WMBB-TV reported. A warrant was applied for charges of a minor in possession of a firearm.
The teen’s family members have been contacted by school resource deputies, and the child was placed in distance learning pending a possible arrest, the sheriff’s office said.
An investigation is ongoing.