Juvenile inmate arrested for attempted murder

Jacksonville, FL — A 15-year-old inmate from the Hastings Youth Academy has been arrested on a new charge.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says Malik J. Littles is charged with attempted first degree premeditated murder. Littles was booked into the County Jail and turned over to Juvenile Justice.

Deputies responded to a fight at the Department of Justice Juvenile facility around 11 AM Friday. Deputies say the suspect approached the 16-year-old victim who was sitting at a table, then punched the victim in jaw, causing the victim to fall on the floor. The suspect then allegedly kicked the victim numerous times in the head, before staff members intervened.

The victim was transported by air ambulance to Shands Trauma Center in Gainesville in critical condition. The victim’s condition since then has improved, and he has been released back into the detention facility.

Investigators say the victim and the suspect lived in the same dormitory at the facility.