11-year-old boy hurt in shooting not the intended target, deputies say

Boy, 11, wounded in Brevard County drive-by shooting

An 11-year-old boy was shot in the arm during a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon in Mims, authorities said. The shooting occurred along Kennedy Street, near Mims Elementary School.

MIMS, Fla. - An 11-year-old boy was taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after being shot, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the incident is being called a drive-by shooting and a suspect remains at-large.

What we know:

Deputies were called to Parrish Medical Center after the child walked into the emergency room and told staff he had been shot. 

Investigators said it remains unclear how the boy got to the hospital or who brought him there. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and he has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery.

Authorities said the boy was likely not the intended target. "He was not the intended victim — it was probably someone he was with — but he was the person that ended up being injured," said sheriff’s office spokesman Tod Goodyear.

The shooting occurred Friday afternoon in a residential neighborhood, where witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. Some neighbors initially thought the sounds were fireworks.

"God have mercy on him because he don’t deserve it," said Noel, a nearby resident. "It’s a shock really to see that, because an 11-year-old is just a little kid."

Investigators said they have only a limited description of a vehicle involved and no license plate information. No arrests have been made, and deputies said it is still unclear whether the shooting was gang-related.

What we don't know:

Deputies did not release details on the circumstances of the shooting, the person who the boy was with, nor details on any potential suspects.

What you can do:

The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information to contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477), to submit an anonymous tip, saying help from the neighborhood is critical to solving the case.