2 men accused of shooting, robbing Orlando man in Ivanhoe Village during crime spree

Two men were arrested after they allegedly robbed and shot a man in Ivanhoe Village early Sunday morning, Orlando police said. 

Shortly after 5:40 a.m. Sunday, two men saw a man leaving his home on Ivanhoe Blvd when they approached him and demanded his vehicle and belongings at gunpoint. The man tried to go back inside his house when he was shot by one of the two men, police said. 

"The suspects reportedly tried to carjack the victim's car and then shot him as he retreated inside his home," according to an arrest affidavit from the Orlando Police Department. 

The two suspects have been identified as 24-year-old Kenny Mason and 25-year-old James Houston. 

They are both in custody and face multiple charges. Houston is charged with the following, arrest records show:

  • Attempted first degree murder with a firearm
  • Carjacking with a firearm
  • Shooting into an occupied dwelling
  • Armed burglary with a firearm
  • Grand theft of a firearm
  • Possession of firearm in commission of a felony
  • Tampering with physical evidence
  • Aggravated battery with a firearm

Mason is charged with the following, according to police:

  • Accessory after the fact x2
  • Carjacking with a firearm
  • Armed burglary with a firearm
  • Grand theft of a firearm
  • Possession of firearm in commission of a felony

The victim, identified as Stephen Pickert, was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, the affidavit said. 

James Houston (left) and Kenny Mason (right) were arrested on June 9, 2024 and are facing numerous charges including burglary, robbery and/or aggravated battery/attempted murder, according to the Orlando Police Department. (Photo: Orange County Jail)

"Houston’s premeditation to murder the victim was evidenced by Houston’s efforts to carjack the victim’s vehicle, Houston’s pursuit of the victim after he attempted to flee to safety, Houston’s intentional shooting of the victim with a stolen firearm. Even after striking the victim, Houston continued to pursue the victim to his front door where he again attempted to shoot him. If not for the malfunctioning of Houston ’s stolen firearm, the attack on the victim is reasonably believed to have continued and resulted in the victim’s death or greater bodily harm," the affidavit said. 

Police also said they believe the men were in the area attempting multiple vehicle burglaries, where they retrieved the gun they used in Sunday's robbery. 

"The investigation determined Houston and Mason conspired to commit several felony crimes. During their crime spree, they committed an estimated 10 vehicle burglaries, stole a firearm, and used said firearm to commit an armed carjacking. Their actions resulted in the Aggravated Battery and attempted 1st Degree Murder of the victim by shooting him," the affidavit added.