DOB: 06/23/2007

Case Number: 2024 101909 CFDB

Young Guns Defendant Sentenced for Waving Gun on Crowded Beach during Spring Break

DAYTONA BEACH – During a hearing this afternoon, Young Guns defendant Felixander Solis-Guzman entered a no-contest plea to three counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (Firearm), In-State Delinquent in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Firearm during any Felony Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm/Dangerous Weapon, Resisting an Officer with Violence and two counts of Tampering with Evidence. He was then sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years of probation.

On the afternoon of March 14, 2024, a fight broke out in one of the large spring break crowds on New Smyrna Beach. As two deputies began walking toward the fight, Solis-Guzman, who was only 16 years old at the time, pulled out a gun and pointed it at another person in the crowd.

The deputies made several commands to the defendant to drop the gun, but he did not comply. Instead, he ran away from them to the shoreline while still holding the gun up. Solis-Guzman then threw the gun and a satchel he was wearing into the ocean.

The defendant was arrested, and the evidence he attempted to destroy was recovered. The satchel contained multiple baggies filled with marijuana.

“The defendant is extremely fortunate he was not shot and killed on the beach that day,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “The responding deputies demonstrated amazing restraint and professionalism. More than can be said for the defendant.”

“Let this serve as a reminder that we have consequences waiting for those who cause chaos and violence in our community,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood added. “Law enforcement will arrest you, the State Attorney will prosecute you, and you just might get several years to think about the bad decisions that led you to your prison cell.”

The case was investigated by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz successfully prosecuted the case for the state. The Honorable Elizabeth Blackburn presided over the case and pronounced sentence.