Teen fires gun at Port Charlotte Waffle House, sparking investigation

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is investigating a firearm discharge involving a juvenile suspect at a Waffle House in Port Charlotte.

The incident occurred at the Waffle House on Kings Highway, where a juvenile entered the restaurant and caused a disturbance, according to investigators. Employees asked the juvenile to leave, and he complied before pulling out a firearm outside the restaurant.

Officials said the suspect made threats toward employees and fired the weapon, allegedly to place them in fear. No injuries were reported.

Jonquelle Carlson was outside the crowded Waffle House when she encountered the suspect.

"I had my windows up, and obviously I locked my doors right away, but he was right in front of my car, like, right in front of it," said Carlson.

Carlson described the moment she arrived and heard yelling, seeing employees trying to get the suspect outside.

"Even when I was sitting over there on the phone with 911, he was still in the parking lot, yelling at people, waving the gun around, and just being awful," she said.

She noted that the suspect stood in the parking lot, blocking cars as people attempted to leave.

"You have this moment where you're like, what am I going to do, because all I have is glass between me and him. And, again, I have a two-year-old at home, so it definitely, like, freaks you out a little bit," said Carlson.

Carlson, who has lived in the area for more than a decade, expressed surprise at the violent incident.

"I mean, you hear about, like, some things happening in the area, but honestly, we have a very quiet area. Stuff happens, but you don't think it's going to happen in your area," she said.

Law enforcement confirmed the juvenile suspect has been accounted for, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The investigation remains open and active. Authorities said additional details will be released as they become available.

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