Bethune-Cookman University shooting suspect denied bond

Students at BCU hold candlelight vigil for victims

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A suspect accused of shooting three Bethune-Cookman University students, killing one of them, had his first appearance before a judge who denied his bond, Sunday morning. 

The shooting happened just after 1 a.m. Saturday at the Indigo Lakes Golf Club in Daytona Beach.

"It's a little close to home to have a shooting in your neighborhood," said Rodney Logan.

Police said Lamont Postell Jr., 23, who also goes by "Cornbread," shot the students after a fight broke out during a party inside the golf course's clubhouse.

Chief Mike Chitwood, of the Daytona Beach Police Department, said more than 200 students were at the party.

"It's a typical Friday night, typical of what college kids do. I mean, they look to rent a place to have a party and nobody expects when you're in college, you're going to end up like this," Chitwood said.

Postell shot and killed Bethune-Cookman student Don'Kevious Johnson, 23, police said. According to the university's athletic website, Johnson was listed as a linebacker on the football team.

The two other students who were shot, Justine Cunninghman and Tre Jamal Williams, 21, were taken to Halifax Medical Center. They are expected to be OK.

"Unfortunately, you have a student who is dead and you have another fighting for her life," Chitwood said.

Police said Cunningham is in critical condition after being shot in the head and Williams is in stable condition after being shot in the back.

Investigators with the Daytona Beach Police Department were actively looking for Postell, who they said is not a student at Bethune-Cookman.

Police said Postell's friend called Daytona Beach police, saying the suspect wanted to turn himself in. They met detectives at a parking lot, was picked up and was taken to police headquarters.

Postell was being questioned Saturday afternoon. Police said he is cooperating.

"It's terrible to hear somebody lost their life," Logan said. "I know college kids party and have fun, but in the age we are with guns and everything, it's a little scary."

Students at BCU held a candlelight vigil Saturday night for the victims. Students said this shooting is affecting the whole campus.

"We lost more than just a football player, we lost more than just a friend. Everybody really lost a Wildcat," one student said.

"He [Johnson] was a good character, very good character. Always smiling, cracking jokes. Good guy and it's sad that happened like that," Eric Hood said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Postell, charging him with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

"I think the best you can do is turn yourself in because you can't outrun an arrest warrant. Everybody is looking for. You weren't a man last night, be a man today and turn yourself in," Chitwood said.

Investigators believed Postell was on his way to the South Florida area. Police said he never left the Daytona Beach area.​

Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this story.​


About the Authors:

Justin Warmoth joined News 6 in 2013 and is now a morning news anchor.