Deltona’s Brian Whitaker Charged in Apartment Complex Murder

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office had identified 49-year-old Brian Whittaker as the suspect in a fatal shooting at a Deltona apartment complex on Monday. Whittaker is accused of shooting 21-year-old Joseph Whitmer to death at the top of the stairs to his unit and leaving him there. Both were residents of the complex, located at 140 Orchid Woods Court. Deputies responded to the shooting early Monday morning, after multiple calls were placed about gunshots and screams. After viewing doorbell camera footage, they were able to arrest Whittaker without incident nearby just 15 minutes later. Observed in the doorbell footage was a black bag possessed by the shooter, which was discovered nearby by a VSO K-9 unit. Inside, deputies found a loaded 9mm pistol, eleven bullet casings, and knives. Whittaker has no prior arrests on record in Volusia County before this shooting. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on Tuesday, charged with premeditated first degree murder. As of Wednesday he remains in custody without bond.