Suspect Charged In Beach St. Homicide

Daytona Beach, FL – Daytona Beach Police (DBPD) officers found the suspect in a homicide at the scene of the crime early Satuday (August 21) morning. They arrested 49-year-old David Mordecai, who is homeless, and charged him with second-degree homicide in the death of a 56-year-old homeless man. A witness, who claimed that he was walking through the area when he spotted Mordecai standing over the victim, contacted Volusia County emergency dispatch around 12:40 a.m.  First responders responded quickly, finding  that the victim had substantial facial injuries and a belt around his neck. He was not breathing, so life-saving measures were attempted but unsuccessful. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. DBPD is not releasing the victim’s identity since next of kin has not been formally notified, but they confirm the victim was living on the streets at the time of his death. He also stayed at times at a halfway house in Daytona Beach. Responding officers found Mordecai on the scene, apparently uninjured. They also found  a broken skateboard and a metal bicycle lock at the scene, both of which had blood on them. Investigators believe Mordecai used both items in the attack.  Initial investigation found that Mordecai and the victim knew one another and had been drinking with each other in the hours before the attack. The motive for the attack is not clear so the investigation continues.