DeLand fatal shooting started over fender bender, police say

Two dead, one recovering after shooting at weekend party

DeLAND, Fla. – Detectives are investigating the cause of a deadly shooting at a party in DeLand over the weekend that left two people dead and one injured.

Police told News 6 the shooting started over a fight involving a fender bender.

"We were having a good time. You know, just chillin', havin' a good time," said witness Deon Smith. 

Smith was at the block party Saturday night. He saw the whole incident unfold.

"It was, like, pow, pow, pow," said Smith. 

Smith said his cousin, Victor Smith, accidentally hit Clayton Lowery's car during the party and that is when the situation became heated. 

"He was parked in the middle of the road. My cousin was trying to back up and accidentally hit his car,” Smith said. “[Victor Smith] told him he would pay for the car. And [Lowery] wanted to get a gun.”

Lowery, 27, and Victor Smith, 41, were killed in the shooting. Sam Parker III, 28, was hit in the leg and released from the hospital Saturday night.

Parker said his leg is recovering well.

A neighbor who goes by the name Red said the shooting brings back bad memories for his family in the area. 

"I lost my brother in 2008. Same place. You feel me? Everything is going to be all right. We're prayed up. You know? God got our back," Red said. 

Family members were standing outside the home where one man was shot and killed, but they did not want to comment.

Red said he sends his condolences to those who lost someone.

"I'm sorry to hear about that,” Red said. “My heart goes out to their families.”

DeLand police have body cameras but because they are being replaced with new cameras, they were not wearing any on the night of the shooting. 

Police are continuing to talk with witnesses and told News 6 they are pursuing all leads. 


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