After a juvenile was struck by a stray bullet on July 4, Citrus County deputies today arrested and charged a 75-year-old woman today in connection with the incident.
The parents of the victim said that on the 4th of July, they had been outside setting off fireworks when the victim fell to the ground screaming. Family members saw the victim was bleeding and immediately contacted the CCSO.
When deputies arrived on scene, the victim was being treated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for a wound to his abdomen. The victim was transported to the hospital, where it was confirmed that the victim had suffered a gunshot wound, and the projectile was still located inside his body.
Citrus County Detective Ramos responded to the scene and began an extensive investigation. Over the course of this investigation, multiple complainants said that 75-year-old Carol Kolberg was regularly seen discharging firearms in the neighborhood. Two of Kolberg’s neighbors reported that their residences were struck by projectiles in the months leading up to the incident.
Evidence collected by the CCSO Forensic Unit allowed Detective Ramos to obtain a search warrant for Kolberg’s residence. During this search, several firearms were seized and sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for ballistic testing. A comparison of rounds fired through one of the seized firearms revealed a match to the projectile recovered from the victim.
Today, Kolberg was arrested for one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling. Her bond was set at $20,000 per the bond schedule.
“The ownership and use of firearms comes with great responsibility. It should be the first priority of every gun owner to handle their weapon with every safety protocol in mind,” said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast.
“It has become apparent throughout this investigation that Carol Kolberg ignored this responsibility and instead abused her second amendment rights, endangering her entire neighborhood. Detective Ramos worked diligently to give this child, and their family, the justice they deserve.”
For more information on firearm safety, please visit our website, www.SheriffCitrus.org and click the “FL Firearms Guide” under the Citizen Information tab.