Deputy Fatally Shoots Fleeing Suspect in DeLand, VSO Says

A Volusia Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a suspect while they were fleeing in DeLand on Saturday, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced. The incident took place at Walmart Neighborhood Market at 955 S. Woodland Blvd. Late Friday night, deputies responded after an accused reckless driver fled from the DeLand Police Department, the VSO says. This driver is said to have nearly hit a pedestrian in downtown DeLand before speeding away with their headlights off. The driver allegedly ran red lights as they left the scene, moving west on SR-44. Law enforcement located the vehicle at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at around 4:30 a.m. At this point, the VSO says the driver again accelerated away and fled while deputies approached the car. One of the deputies fired a shot through the windshield, hitting the driver. The vehicle is then said to have continued a short distance through the parking lot before crashing. Emergency responders transported the driver to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured. As of 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the Walmart Neighborhood Market parking lot was closed to the public. The identity of the driver has not been released as of Saturday morning. It’s not yet clear whether the deputy shooting will be subject to external or internal investigation. Updates are expected to come from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office as the situation unfolds, and they will be added to this and/or future reports as they’re made available.