‘Deputies open fire ... and he’s killed instantly,’ authorities say of Christmas Eve shooting in Deltona

Shooting happened on Gaucho Circle

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 65-year-old man died in an officer-involved shooting in Deltona on Christmas Eve, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

The incident started at a family gathering at a home on Gaucho Circle in Deltona, just north of Enterprise Road, deputies said.

At some point, authorities received a call about a man with a gun.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said investigators surrounded the house for about 23 minutes.

Officials said Harvey Cantrell shot his sister.

“As she comes out of the front door, her brother comes out behind her and shoots her one time in the shoulder -- bullet hits the shoulder, ricochets into her face, at that point, deputies open fire on him and he’s killed instantly,” Chitwood said.

Three deputies returned fire, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Cantrell was 65 years old.

Authorities later identified the victim as Cantrell’s 73-year-old sister.

“The number one priority was getting her out of the house,” Chitwood said. “We were able to save Gretchen’s life, I believe, the way the deputies acted.”

At last check, the victim was at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, listed as stable.

Cantrell and his sister’s mother died the week prior, according to deputies.

No deputies were hurt in the shooting incident, investigators said.

“From what we’re hearing, Harvey had some type of mental issues and he had a firearm,” Chitwood said.

The shooting happened in the neighborhood Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg lives in.

“Any time a life is lost, it’s terrible,” Herzberg said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating.

Authorities haven’t released the names of the deputies who opened fire, but said they’re not rookie deputies. They’re now on paid leave.


About the Authors:

Jerry Askin is an Atlanta native who came to News 6 in March 2018 with an extensive background in breaking news.

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