HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Two teenagers are in custody facing multiple felony charges after they threatened a victim at the Brandon Mall on June 18, 2026, fled from deputies, and discarded a loaded AR-15-style rifle and a handgun during a foot pursuit. No one was injured during the incident, and both weapons were recovered.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Brandon Mall at 3:43 p.m. following reports of an armed disturbance. According to investigators, the two juvenile suspects threatened a victim and implied they were carrying weapons, leaving her fearing for her safety.
When deputies spotted the suspects, the two teenagers immediately took off on foot. They ran through a nearby store and into the surrounding area with deputies close behind. During the chase, the teens dropped a backpack containing a loaded AR-15-style firearm and later threw away a handgun.
Deputies managed to safely arrest both suspects without any injuries. The individuals were identified as 16-year-old Dae Shaun Rah Kel Williams and 15-year-old Dontavias Tavares Stewart Jr. Both of the discarded firearms were successfully recovered by law enforcement.
“Armed juveniles threatening the public will face serious consequences,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These two individuals are now facing serious felony charges. We will not tolerate violent crime in our community, regardless of the offender’s age. This arrest demonstrates that criminal behavior, especially involving weapons, will result in accountability.”
Williams is now facing several charges, including child violation of probation, resisting an officer without violence, minor in possession of a firearm, disrupting a school function or lawful assembly, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Stewart faces a similar set of charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer without violence, minor in possession of a firearm, disrupting a school function or lawful assembly, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office noted that the investigation remains active.
READ: Ballot Battle: Lawsuit Claims Florida Property Tax Amendment Language Intentionally Tricks Voters
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
