Bodycam footage from police officers in Florida shows the moments two children started shooting when they were caught breaking into a home.
Nicole Jackson, 14, and Travis O’Brien, 12, were labeled “Bonnie and Clyde” by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood after they opened fire on deputies as they responded to reports of a burglary in Enterprise, where a patio window had been broken.
The two children had run away from Florida United Methodist Children’s Home on Tuesday and were later spotted breaking into an empty home, where they found guns and decided to put them to use.
Over a radio, a dispatcher can be heard telling the deputy that the “female has a shotgun in her hand” before someone is heard shouting at Jackson to “put the gun down now.”
The next things that can be heard in the bodycam footage from the incident are gunshots and the officer telling the dispatcher, “they’re shooting at me.”
Views from a helicopter showed that the pair were shooting at police officers from various points of the home, including the garage and a bedroom — a strategy which Sheriff Mike Chitwood said was designed to try and “kill cops.”
The deputy said: “They’re shooting at me. Hold the air. I’m code 4. She’s re-racking a round inside the shotgun.”
The dispatcher is then heard advising not to engage with the teens anymore and instructs the officials not to “challenge” them.
The dispatcher said: “Let’s not engage them anymore. Let’s not challenge them.”
The deputy responded by: “She’s racked a round in the shotgun. The windows are busted on the patio side. If she’ comes out, she’s going to have the shotgun.”
As they continue to approach the property, the teens exit the house to confront the officers. Moments later, Jackson is heard screaming as she is shot — reported to be in the chest and arm.
Travis O’Brien was taken into custody, appearing on Thursday in court before Judge Michael Orfinger.
He is being held in secure detention for 21 days and will next appear in court on June 23. Nicole Jackson is reported to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery with life-threatening injuries.
In a press conference, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said they were evil young versions of “Bonnie and Clyde” and added: “Their conversation was they were going to kill my sergeant. They were coming out to kill cops. They were coming out to kill deputies; that’s the conversation.”
All the officers involved in the standoff, which lasted more than 35 minutes, have been placed on administrative leave. None were injured.
