Man arrested after striking child with gun

Juan Francisco Carranza, 32, was booked into custody after deputies said he threatened two children with a handgun and struck one in the ear with the weapon's grip. The incident occurred in a Miami-Dade neighborhood where a group of juveniles were playing ding-dong ditch.

The arrest report places the confrontation at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. Investigators state that the children were walking through the area knocking on doors and running away. They had visited about four houses when Carranza arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz. He exited the vehicle and pulled out a firearm, waving it near the faces of two youths. He asked which child was the oldest, and when neither responded, he hit one in the left ear with the base of the gun.

The impact caused a laceration that required multiple stitches. A second juvenile confirmed the victim's account of the events. Carranza was taken into custody on Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, shortly after leaving his residence.

During questioning, Carranza made a partial admission to investigators. However, he declined to answer whether he possessed the firearm at the time of the incident unless an attorney was present.

He was charged with aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault with a firearm. A judge found probable cause and set his bond at $10,000.