Two young men shot during vape pen sale in Casselberry
A 19 year old and a 17 year old were shot during an attempted vape pen sale near Howell Branch Road and Lake Ann Lane on December 8, police said. The 19 year old was hospitalized with non life threatening chest and left arm wounds, the 17 year old received minor treatment from Seminole County Fire Department, and authorities say there is no ongoing threat.
Casselberry police responded to a shooting the evening of December 8 after two young men were fired upon while attempting to sell vape pens, authorities said. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. near Howell Branch Road and Lake Ann Lane. The victims drove away from the scene but crashed their vehicle as the shooters fled.
A 19 year old was shot in the chest and left arm and was transported to a hospital with non life threatening injuries. A 17 year old suffered minor injuries and was treated by Seminole County Fire Department at the scene. Investigators described the incident as isolated and said those involved may have been acquainted with one another. “Thus far our detectives have been able to determine this was an isolated incident among individuals who may be acquainted with one another and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” the department said.
The shooting underscores multiple public health and community safety concerns for Seminole County. Gun violence among teenagers and young adults places immediate strain on emergency medical services and emergency departments, and can create lasting physical and mental health consequences for victims and witnesses. Even when wounds are not life threatening, trauma care, follow up treatment, and mental health services are often needed and can be difficult to access for young people without stable insurance or family resources.
The circumstances reported here also highlight risks tied to informal sales of vaping devices. Youth involvement in such exchanges can expose teens to violent crime and to the broader harms of nicotine and unregulated products. Addressing these risks requires a coordinated response that includes law enforcement, trauma informed health care, school based prevention, and community programs that provide safe alternatives and economic opportunities for young people.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Carr by email at dcarr@casselberry.org. Community leaders and health providers say preventing similar incidents will take both targeted public safety work and investment in youth services, mental health care, and equitable access to prevention resources across Seminole County.
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