Police: Florida boy, 8, tries to rob grocery store at gunpoint


An 8-year-old boy tried to hold up a grocery store Wednesday night, the West Palm Beach Police Department said.

The boy walked into King Foods & Meat Bazaar, pulled a loaded gun from his sweater and pointed it at a cashier, demanding money, investigators said.

"He was wearing like a motorcycle helmet, and he was wearing a sweater over his mouth,” the clerk said. “He was only showing his eyes."

Another employee then snatched the gun from the boy, who tried to escape the worker’s grip, witnesses said.

"When I grabbed my purse, it was so light,” said Eboni Alls, the boy’s mother. “I'm, like, I knew I was missing something. I said, ‘Where my gun?’ The first thing I thought was I hope Jaden don't have my gun."

The boy was evaluated after making comments about wanting to hurt himself, police said.

No charges have been filed, but the incident remains under investigation.