Florida Teen Carjacks Mother at Gunpoint, Claims He Needed to Visit Grandmother
A shocking incident unfolded in Orlando, Florida, when a masked teenager carjacked a mother at gunpoint, offering an unusual explanation for his actions. The 18-year-old suspect, Kenneth Shears, allegedly told the victim he was committing the felony because he needed to see his grandmother.
Armed Confrontation in Parking Lot
The terrifying encounter occurred on West Colonial Drive when the mother-of-three was sitting in her car while on the phone. According to police reports cited by local media, Shears approached the vehicle, pointed a firearm at the woman, and demanded she surrender her car.
'I am sorry to be doing this, but I need to see my grandmother,' Shears reportedly told the frightened woman during the confrontation.
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, described the moment as 'surreal' and something she never expected to experience. 'I was like, 'Are you joking?'' she recalled. 'He was like, 'No, just give me your s***'.'
Police Pursuit and Dramatic Crash
After stealing the vehicle with the woman still inside, Shears led police on a brief but dangerous chase through Orlando streets. The pursuit ended dramatically when the teenager lost control of the stolen car, mounted a curb, and crashed into another vehicle parked on a residential front lawn.
The collision left the parked car completely totaled, according to witness accounts and police reports. Shears was immediately taken into custody following the crash, ending the dangerous episode that could have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
Victim's Harrowing Experience
The carjacked mother described her emotional journey during the five-minute ordeal, beginning with shock and disbelief that quickly transformed into genuine fear. 'I was very scared at this point,' she told reporters. 'But it was a kid, and he looked like something was wrong.'
Remarkably, the woman noted that Shears showed some restraint during the crime. Despite having access to her valuable possessions, including jewelry, cash, credit cards, and a laptop-containing bag, the teenager focused solely on taking the vehicle.
'If he was robbing me, he could have taken all my jewelry,' she explained. 'I had on jewelry. He could have taken my money. I had money on me. I had my credit cards. He could have taken my bag. My bag had my laptop in it. He didn't take anything.'
The victim even attempted to negotiate with her assailant, offering to drive him to his desired destination rather than surrendering her vehicle entirely. Shears reportedly promised to return the car, though this assurance proved empty as he immediately fled the scene.
Legal Consequences and Charges
Kenneth Shears now faces serious legal consequences for his actions. Law enforcement officials have charged him with multiple offenses, including:
- Carjacking with a firearm (felony)
- Aggravated fleeing from police (felony)
- Leaving the scene of a crash (misdemeanor)
- Driving without a valid license (misdemeanor)
Investigators confirmed that Shears had no record of ever holding a driver's license, adding another layer of recklessness to the already dangerous situation. His total bond was set at $6,500, though he was held without bond specifically for the carjacking charge.
All charges were filed in Orange County Circuit Court and listed as presentenced, indicating Shears has either been convicted or pleaded guilty but awaits final sentencing. His next court date remains unset, and he remained incarcerated as of Tuesday afternoon following the Saturday night incident.
Aftermath and Reflection
The physical and emotional toll on the victim continues even after the immediate danger has passed. 'At the end of the day, the other person's car is going to get fixed and mine is just sitting there,' she lamented, referring to the practical consequences of the crime.
More significantly, she must now process the psychological impact of having a firearm pointed at her during what began as an ordinary day. 'I'm just getting loss upon loss and have to deal with the fact that I had a gun pointed at me.'
Despite her traumatic experience, the mother expressed hope that Shears might learn from this incident and choose a different path forward. 'There's better ways of dealing with whatever life throws at you,' she advised. 'You don't need to rob people and cheat your way through life.'
She suggested that without meaningful intervention and personal growth, the teenager would 'never see [his] way' toward a better future.
Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding this unusual carjacking case. The Orange County Sheriff's Office has been contacted for additional comment, while attempts to reach the Shears family have thus far been unsuccessful.
