A Florida woman is facing serious charges after authorities say she shot her adult son in the thigh on Christmas Day following a heated argument that began during brunch. The incident unfolded around 3 p.m. outside a Red Rooster restaurant, turning what should have been a holiday gathering into a violent scene that left one man hospitalized and a family shaken.
According to an arrest report cited by local outlet WPLG, the victim and his mother, 50-year-old Roseita Lavette Smith, had gone to the restaurant together for Christmas brunch. At some point during the meal, tensions rose. Smith allegedly accused her son of being “disrespectful” toward her and other family members who were present, sparking an argument that didn’t end when the food did.
Police say the confrontation followed them outside to the parking lot, where the situation continued to escalate. Investigators allege that both Smith and her son got into her vehicle, only for the argument to spill back out moments later. After exiting the car, Smith is accused of firing a single shot, striking her son in the thigh.
First responders arrived to find the victim bleeding from his leg. He reportedly identified his mother as the shooter before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Smith was not at the scene when officers arrived. Authorities say she fled immediately after the shooting but was located and taken into custody later that day. During questioning, Smith claimed she acted in self-defense. She told police she feared for her safety after her son allegedly refused to leave her vehicle and threatened to assault her, citing past behavior that made her feel unsafe in that moment.
Despite her account, Smith was arrested shortly after midnight. Jail records show she has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, causing bodily harm. She is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues.
The case has sparked strong reactions online, with many expressing disbelief that a family dispute on Christmas Day could escalate to gunfire.
