MIAMI, FLORIDA: A mother from Liberty City is facing a series of charges following allegations that she provided her son with a firearm which he subsequently used in a shooting incident involving two individuals at a Miami park. The incident transpired on July 18 at Olinda Park, located in the vicinity of the 2100 block of Northwest 51st Terrace.
As stated in the arrest report, Isesha Johnson, aged 41, allegedly supplied her 15-year-old son with a firearm, which he then utilized to inflict gunshot wounds upon two male victims. Swift medical intervention made sure to transport the victims mto the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Isesha Johnson remains in jail without the option of bond
Johnson has been detained on multiple charges in connection to the incident. Currently, the mother has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, and the possession of a firearm by a minor authorized by a legal guardian. Johnson’s penalty might include being punished by life imprisonment and shall be ineligible for parole as per Florida statutes, but no verdict has been passed yet. Investigators assert that subsequent to the shooting, the teenager reportedly concealed the firearm in a burial, while his mother reportedly observed the act. At present, Johnson is in custody without the option of bond at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Minimum age for purchasing and possessing firearms in Florida
Following a tragic school shooting carried out by a 19-year-old in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, Florida introduced legislation to prevent minors under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms. The law also imposes restrictions on licensed firearm dealers, prohibiting them from facilitating the sale or transfer of firearms to individuals under 21 years old. However, it is important to note that Florida law does not explicitly forbid individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 from possessing firearms. There are exceptions, and the age limitations on firearm purchases do not apply to certain categories, such as law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and servicemembers.
Even though a person who is under 18 years old is generally prohibited from possessing a firearm, the ban does not extend to unloaded firearms within the minor's own home. Moreover, there are specific scenarios where possessing a firearm as a minor is allowed. Having said that, Florida law does hold parents, guardians, or other adults responsible for the welfare of a minor accountable if they knowingly and willfully permit the minor to possess a firearm in violation of these regulations. Hence, Johnson will face a fate as stated by the legislation due to her son being 15 years old.
