EDGEWATER, Fla. – The Edgewater community is mourning Officer David Jewell, who was killed Monday, and is still looking for answers about the tragedy. Residents are uniting now to support the police department and Officer Jewell’s family.
Hundreds have turned out over the last two days, bringing flowers, leaving notes, and placing wreaths on Officer Jewell’s car parked outside the Edgewater Police Department.
People across Volusia County are stepping up to show support from all angles, even as many still question why this tragedy happened.
[WATCH: Off-duty officer shot to death at Volusia County gas station]
“Everyone heard about the officer being murdered so tragically — I was trying to think of ways to do something for the family,” said resident Quincy Fernandez.
Fernandez is one of several Edgewater residents who had never met before the tragedy but felt compelled to honor Officer Jewell.
“These people put their lives out on the line. This guy wasn’t even working, which to me was even worse. So, I figured, let’s do something back for them,” Fernandez said.
They are now teaming up to plan a memorial ride for next weekend.
“We have people already interested all the way from Tampa. It’s going to be next Saturday. We’re going to start at Teddy Morrison Harley and end at Hawks Park in Edgewater where we’ll pay tribute to this wonderful individual,” said Mayor Diezel DePew.
The Volusia sheriff says 24-year-old Eduardo Machado, a cashier at the Ormond-by-the-Sea Circle K, shot and killed Jewell Monday.
[WATCH BELOW: New details emerge in fatal shooting of Edgewater police officer at gas station]
Surveillance video shows Jewell at the counter when Machado walked in and raised a gun. Machado shot Jewell 24 times. Authorities have not provided a clear motive.
“Right now, we’re all waiting for answers just like everyone else. We watched a barbaric act play out this week and we’re all just wanting to know why,” said Mike Scudiero, president of the local police union. “We’ve got 30 plus individuals who lost a family member this week. With no preparation, no planning, just gone in an instant, so we’re trying to support our folks here.”