Deland teen injured in overnight shooting after graduation party, officials say

Deland teen injured in overnight shooting after graduation party, officials say

According to officials, the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in front of the 1700 block of North Woodland Boulevard.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - Volusia Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred Sunday morning in Deland.

What we know:

According to officials, the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in front of the 1700 block of North Woodland Boulevard.

Reports suggest a passing driver heard multiple gunshots as he traveled through the area. Moments later, the rear window of his vehicle shattered. A 16-year-old passenger riding in the back seat soon discovered he had sustained a graze wound to his head.

Emergency responders quickly transported the teen to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and later listed in stable condition. Medical staff described the injury as minor.

According to the initial investigation, the gunfire appears to have originated from an exchange between two individuals on foot in the parking lot of the commercial property in the 1700 block of North Woodland Boulevard. Authorities have not released information about potential suspects or motives at this time.

Deputies said the boy was a passenger in the vehicle with his family leaving a graduation party. The teen is receiving additional treatment and evaluation of potential complications from his injury, officials said.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the DeLand Police Department or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers. 

Officials with the Volusia Sheriff's Office later posted a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case.

What they're saying:

Nearby resident, Ady Martinez, says she arrived home about 30 minutes after the shooting and was greeted by Volusia Deputies.

"They guided me into the neighborhood, so it did make me feel like, okay they got the situation handled," said Martinez.

 "They got the helicopter circling around, so I know if anything, I’m at least safe in that moment."

Martinez says her neighborhood is filled with families."It’s crazy because we have kids on every street. Two to three families at least, minimum," said Martinez, "Right where the shooting happened is a bus stop which blows my mind. Right there at the bus stop where kids go every morning to get on the bus and go to school."

As a mother, Martinez says that’s what worries her, the safety of her family and others.

"It just really wakes you up to what’s going on around you and it makes you want to just shelter in a little bit which is really unfortunate because here we’re so open and welcoming," said Martinez. "So, to see that, it really hurts. It does."

Second shooting in Volusia on the same night

Another shooting was reported just before midnight at a house on Kings Ridge Terrace in Deltona, according to officials.

The resident reported that he was outside his house when a person approached him and pulled out a gun. The resident told officials that he retreated into the house and locked the door. Another person then allegedly fired at least one shot at the residence from the street before they both left the scene.

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