TAMPA BAY, Fla. — State Attorney Susan Lopez said her office is taking a tough stance on teen gun violence.

She said the number of gun-related juvenile cases prosecuted as adults has increased more than 20% since she’s been State Attorney.

Showing video of a January 1 shooting at a news conference Friday, Lopez said the 13-year-old arrested for shooting a 16-year-old in the chest had three pending juvenile cases against him since 2021.

She also referenced a separate case where the juvenile had more than 20 cases pending. Lopez said her office will hold juveniles with guns accountable.

“Diversion programs and monitoring systems only can last so long,” said Lopez. “It is our job and our tool here at this office to prosecute and to keep the community safe and in situations where filing in adult court is appropriate, we do choose to do that because we need to wake up and pay attention and we’re saying enough is enough.”

Lopez said her office is changing the way these cases are evaluated and working with local law enforcement to help identify prolific offenders.

“The State Attorney’s Office is taking this tough stance on violent crime not to ruin the lives of teenagers it’s the opposite,” said Lopez. “When we charge teenagers as adults, we do this with a very heavy heart, but we must address these acts of violence early and hold these individuals accountable.”

The mother of the victim in the shooting at Curtis Hixon Park told Spectrum Bay News 9 on Friday that her son is doing ok.

She said teen violence with guns is getting “ridiculous.” The suspect in her son’s case is being charged as an adult.