Boy, 11, arrested for armed carjacking that led to hours-long manhunt in neighborhood

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB/Gray news) - A tense search for an armed carjacking suspect came to an end Tuesday that involved a young boy.

Florida deputies identified the suspect as an 11-year-old boy named King, who was taken into custody.

According to authorities, the ordeal began earlier Tuesday evening when King, initially described as an armed 14-year-old, took off from them in a neighborhood.

The 11-year-old attempted to carjack two vehicles, and residents in the Santa Fe community were placed on a shelter-in-place order as deputies, K-9 units and SWAT personnel searched for him.

Law enforcement said they eventually located King inside a townhome just after 8 p.m., where he was arrested.

Residents expressed shock over the situation that involved a young boy and questioned how the situation escalated.

“To find out that he was actually 11 years old is just mind-boggling,” resident Sharon Layton said. “What’s happening for an 11-year-old child to be armed and try to steal two cars when he’s not even close to the driving age?"

King is expected to face several charges stemming from the incident.

“I’m just glad that everybody is safe, and I am very thankful for our first responders and our law enforcement,” Layton said.

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