MIKE CHITWOOD

Volusia County’s sheriff is making it graphically clear for new recruits: he will not tolerate the kind of policing seen in the beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis.

A 15-year-old girl involved in a shootout with Volusia County deputies accepted a plea deal Friday afternoon.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and several Florida sheriffs on Thursday discussed the fentanyl crisis and other issues at a roundtable in Daytona Beach.

The new Volusia Family Resource center is officially open in Daytona Beach.

A single-engine plane crashed in in Oak Hill on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

A seven-story condominium building in Daytona Beach partially collapsed Thursday after Nicole, which made landfall south of Vero Beach as a Category 1 hurricane, brought strong winds, rain and rough surf to the area.

Volusia County officials are continuing to evacuate at-risk buildings in Daytona Beach Shores as impacts from Nicole continue to surface.

VERO BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Tropical Storm Nicole sent multiple homes toppling into the Atlantic Ocean Thursday and threatened a row of high rise condominiums in places where Hurricane Ian washed away seawalls and other remaining protections only weeks ago. Nicole remains a sprawling tropical storm, covering nearly the entire weather-weary state of Florida while also reaching into Georgia and the Carolinas before dawn on Thursday. Authorities had warned that Nicole's storm surge could further erode many beaches hit by Hurricane Ian in September. The brunt of the storm hit north of its center. Parts of Florida were devastated by Hurricane Ian, which struck as a Category 4 storm.

A house collapses into the ocean after Nicole devours much of the Central Florida coastline.

Daytona Beach Shores police and Volusia County deputies are going door-to-door inside 12 condo complexes and one hotel along the beach that are under threat of collapse due to the powerful storm surge caused by Tropical Storm Nicole.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A former Volusia County lieutenant surrendered his law enforcement certification on Thursday after six women, including fellow deputies, accused him of sexual harassment. “The conduct we discovered in this investigation was a disgrace to our badge and a black mark on our organization,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. Read: Argument over disciplining a child led to murder-suicide in Deltona, sheriff saysThe sheriff’s office said the investigation also revealed a pattern of Bainbridge failing to respond to significant calls for service. At the conclusion of the investigation, Chitwood said he determined Bainbridge had committed policy violations including leaving his assigned work area, inattention to duties, failure to follow general orders, harassment, sexual harassment, and failure to comply with a direct order. Read: Volusia County sheriff: On-duty deputy who uses deadly force not a ‘victim’ under Marsy’s Law“While I’m anything but proud of the behavior of our disgraced former watch commander, I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who spoke out,” Chitwood said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — New statistics show that more people are reaching out for domestic violence help in two Central Florida counties. Calls for service are up 10% in Volusia County over this same time last year, and the number is even higher in Orange County where domestic violence calls are up 13%. In Volusia County, Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s deputies have responded to over 1,000 domestic violence calls this year alone. Video: Orlando murder-suicide connects to domestic violence, police sayChannel 9 reached out to other counties across Central Florida to see if the trend continues across the area. Read: Orange County Clerk’s Office helps those affected by domestic violenceAdditional resources include:StandUp Survivor 24/7 survivor hotline : 321-430-5307Harbor House: 407-886-2856National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800-799-7233Video: Central Florida sees increase in deadly domestic violence incidents Eleven people died in Central Florida in the last three months in three different murder-suicide cases.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Deputies are preparing for hundreds of huge trucks to roll into Daytona Beach this weekend for Trucktoberfest. It’s a pop-up, unsanctioned event, and the type the sheriff’s office said they’ve had problems with in the past. Signs have been put up alerting people of the special event zone and the increased fines, which the sheriff is hoping is enough to keep people from misbehaving at the event. WATCH: Oviedo officer makes Taco Bell delivery after Uber Eats driver gets stoppedChitwood is taking advantage of a new state law to combat unsanctioned pop-up events and designate the area from Bellaire Plaza south to Daytona Beach Shores as a special event zone. Fines and towing costs can be doubled and the county could bill the event promoter for overtime and cleanup costs.

Law enforcement officials in Volusia county are putting out a warning ahead of a truck event this weekend that’s caused big problems in the past.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies in Volusia County said they arrested 18 people during a crackdown on human trafficking and prostitution. It all happened during last week’s Biketoberfest. Watch: ‘How could this be allowed’: Homeowners furious over Florida law they say is unfairDeputies say two of the people arrested were underage girls. “Even if these two teenage girls were the only cases we found, this operation would have been well worth the effort,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. The other went to juvy because there was a warrant out for her arrest.

Deputies in Volusia County said they arrested 18 people during a crackdown on human trafficking and prostitution.

Oscar Salazar stabbed to death Byanca Cruz and cut his own throat in an apparent murder-suicide in Deltona, Florida, while their three children were home, authorities said.

An argument over how to discipline a child led a man to fatally stab his wife in front of her 10-year-old son before turning the knife on himself in an apparent murder-suicide at a Deltona home, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

DELTONA, Fla. — Volusia County deputies are trying to help three children who were discovered at the scene of a murder-suicide in Deltona. Deputies said they found a man and a woman stabbed to death in a home on Gramercy Drive off of Elkcam Boulevard. Read: Man, woman found dead in apparent murder-suicide, 3 children found in home, deputies sayInvestigators said it appears the man killed the woman, then took his own life. Photos: Volusia sheriff to give update on children present during murder-suicide in Deltona homeExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Volusia sheriff to give update on children present during murder-suicide in Deltona homeDeputies found the three children unhurt inside the home. Watch: Good Samaritan Village residents face uncertain future as evacuation order continuesVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is set to give an update on the children at noon.

Volusia County leaders on Friday held a news conference to discuss the region’s ongoing disaster response to Hurricane Ian

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Residents throughout Volusia County will be under a curfew on Wednesday and Thursday. 4 storm making landfall near Sanibel, Captiva islandsThe curfew lasts until 7 a.m. the next day. Chitwood also urged residents to “Lock up!” during the storm, noting that “burglars love power outages.”Notes from @SheriffChitwood on #HurricaneIan:-Lock up! pic.twitter.com/VifJ6lXvec — Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) September 27, 2022WATCH: Power outages & storm safetyMeantime, at a storm briefing Wednesday morning, Volusia County Emergency Management officials said that residents should expect widespread flooding since Hurricane Ian could dump one to two feet of rain on some areas. For information on shelter locations in Volusia County, click here.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is issuing a warning to parents after fentanyl and a BB gun were found in separate incidents at two county high schools.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man who had been accused of rape and kidnapping, but was acquitted, is headed to jail anyway. However, at the time he was released, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood noted that Minton was a registered sex offender who would have to “remain in strict compliance with the law” to avoid going back. CASE UPDATE: Jason Minton, who was recently acquitted of kidnapping and sexual battery charges in an @OrmondBeachPD case, was arrested today by Volusia Sheriff detectives on 3 counts of failure to properly register as a sex offender. pic.twitter.com/CYTXgEq6km — Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) September 8, 2022According to the sheriff’s office, Minton was using two different e-mail addresses and a phone number that he never reported to authorities as required by his sex offender status. Minton was booked into the Volusia County Jail Thursday afternoon where he remains on no bond.

A man accused of leading law enforcement on a chase and shootout in Mount Dora is now facing a murder charge in connection with the death of his father, who was considered missing and endangered in Volusia County, according to the sheriff’s office.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It was the quintessential example of “every vote matters.”Three days after voters went to the polls to choose a new slate of Orange County Commissioners, District 6 citizens still didn’t know who would appear on the November ballot to replace outgoing Commissioner Victoria Siplin. After the first unofficial results were in, community activist Mike Scott earned one more vote than fellow community activist Cynthia Harris. READ: Crist picks Miami teachers union leader as running mateThe two candidates, their teams and attorneys met at the county election headquarters Friday afternoon to begin the recount process that would determine who came out on top. READ: Orange County campaign pushes for one-cent transportation tax“Voting is the most powerful asset that we have,” Harris said. Still, election officials noted, the careful recounting process that stretched into the wee hours of the morning should provide assurance that the accuracy of elections in Orange County is sound.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Democrat Charlie Crist on Saturday tapped Miami-Dade County teachers union president Karla Hernandez-Mats as his running mate as he challenges Republican Gov. Crist, a congressman who served as the state’s Republican governor a decade ago, announced United Teachers of Dade President Hernandez-Mats as his pick at a rally in Miami. She is the daughter of two Honduran immigrants who came to the U.S. in the 1970s and was the first Hispanic to be elected to lead the United Teachers of Dade in 2016. READ: Autopsy report confirms Naomi Judd’s cause of deathCrist secured the Democratic nomination for governor Tuesday after defeating state agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Most folks who have called Central Florida home for a reasonable amount of time would probably agree that Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood isn’t shy. The outspoken Chitwood is used to fielding questions from reporters and making his stance on crime and other community issues clearly known. READ: FAA, NTSB investigating after 2 killed in plane crash in Volusia County, deputies sayChitwood came to Central Florida back in 2006 to serve as Daytona Beach police chief. After spending more than 10 years on the job, he stepped into his current role of sheriff in 2016. Now, you might say Sheriff Chitwood is turning the tables — switching up roles, if you will.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Most Central Florida children may already be cracking open textbooks, but the students of Volusia County Schools are still enjoying the end of their summer break. In light of the shooting at the end of the spring semester in Uvalde, Texas, safety is everyone’s priority. “We have to strive for an A+, a 100% every single day,” Volusia County Schools’ safety and security leader Michelle Newman said. LIVE UPDATES: ‘Off to a great start’: Central Florida students wrap up first day of schoolNewman and law enforcement leaders from across the county held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to outline their safety preparations. This year, each school will be equipped with police radios to contact 911 dispatch, courtesy of Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

A man arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a IHOP in Debary has been indicted on several charges, including murder, according to the Flagler-Volusia State Attorney’s Office.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The man accused of killing his father and dumping his body near an Orange County Lake is expected to go before a judge Friday morning. Jonny Santiago, 18, of Deltona, is charged with the murder of his father, 52-year-old Juan Santiago. Juan Santiago had not been seen since Sunday when he flew from New York to Florida to check on his son Jonny. The sheriff’s office’s helicopter then chased him to Mount Dora, where he crashed into a synagogue before getting into a shootout with deputies. According to the family, they were able to access GPS data for Santiago’s truck on his wife’s phone.

VIDEO: ‘This is not a normal thing’ Family grieves after murdered man’s body found ‘This is not a normal thing’ Family grieves after murdered man’s body foundORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Family members of Juan Santiago stood on the side of a rural dirt road in west Orange County for hours Thursday, speaking with investigators and among themselves after discovering the 52-year-old’s body in a bush next to Lake Avalon. The breakthrough had come the night before, they said, when they finally accessed GPS data for Santiago’s truck on his wife’s phone. There was a lot a lot of ravens flying above,” Justo Burgos said as he retold the story about how family members found Santiago. He said the timeline meant Santiago’s body was in the truck when the teenager first evaded police in DeBary shortly after the shooting. Burgos said the family planned to eventually take Santiago’s body back to New York to be buried, since the Deltona house was only a vacation home.

A body found in an Orange County lake Thursday was identified as the father of an 18-year-old man accused of shooting at law enforcement in Mount Dora, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The body of a missing father believed to have been shot and killed by his 18-year-old son has been found in Orange County, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the sister of suspect Jonny Santiago found Juan Santiago’s body while searching the lake. READ: Homicide suspect, 18, arrested after multi-county pursuit ends with crash into Mount Dora synagogueA body that is believed to be missing father Juan Santiago has been located in Lake Avalon in Orange County. Interesting note: Our suspect’s sister found the body while searching that lake. — Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) July 14, 2022Jonny Santiago is in Lake County Jail.

Lake County Sheriff's Office released bodycam footage that showed a Mount Dora shootout between Deltona man and police. The incident resulted in no injuries to...

An 18-year-old man accused of shooting at law enforcement after a chase that ended in Mount Dora has been booked into the Orange County jail, records show.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Search teams in Volusia County looking for the body of the father of the 18-year-old who shot at deputies and crashed a truck into a synagogue on Monday. Deputies are entering day four in the search. Deputies said 18-year-old Jonny Santiago shot his dad on Sunday night. READ: Investigators looking for man possibly killed by son, 18, who crashed into synagogueSheriff Mike Chitwood said Santiago’s mother was on the phone and heard the gunshots. She called deputies and when they arrived, they saw blood and shell casings, but no body.

VIDEO: Search for body of man presumed killed in Deltona stretches into 4th day VIDEO: Search for body of man presumed killed in Deltona stretches into 4th day (Nick Papantonis, WFTV.com/WFTV)DELTONA, Fla. — Volusia County deputies will resume their search for a 52-year-old’s body Wednesday after failing to find it on their third day of searching. Deputies said Juan Santiago of New York was likely killed by his son Johnny at his vacation home in Deltona Sunday night. On Monday, WFTV called a number listed for Santiago’s wife, who was in New York when the shooting happened. A woman answered and said her family had no connection to the Deltona home but refused to provide her name. They said they recovered a gun believed to be the murder weapon after the teenager crashed into a Mount Dora synagogue Monday.

The father of an 18-year-old man who shot at law enforcement after a chase ended in Mount Dora is missing, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Video: Bunnell police train for active shooting response at Volusia County’s virtual reality simulator The Bunnell Police Department said it is better prepared to respond to dangerous situations, like an active shooting. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Bunnell Police Department said it is better prepared to respond to dangerous situations, like an active shooting. WATCH: Volusia County first responders rescue woman from partially submerged SUVThe department recently used Volusia County’s interactive virtual reality simulator. Photos: Bunnell police train for active shooting response at Volusia County’s virtual reality simulatorExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Bunnell police train for active shooting response at Volusia County’s virtual reality simulator“Excellent, sad, necessary training,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon said, “We will continue to build upon these experiences and train for situations we pray we never encounter.

A teenage girl charged as an adult is scheduled to appear before a judge.

Recent reports out of Volusia County show an uptick in drug-related deaths countywide — a trend that Sheriff Mike Chitwood said could be traced back to a ‘porous’ border, drug-smuggling cartels and an abundance of fentanyl.

VIDEO: Report: Overdoses now leading cause of death in Volusia County Overdoses now leading cause of death in Volusia CountyVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Volusia County. The majority of those overdoses and overdose deaths happened in Daytona Beach. READ: Volusia County Beaches see a total of 268 beach rescues over the weekend“Our men and women in narcotics are just slaying it, but the problem is there are so many people out there. The number of overdose deaths increased from 305 in 2020, to 331 in 2021, to 164 so far this year. READ: Pharmacies limit purchases of ‘Plan B’ due to spike in demand following Roe v. Wade rulingVIDEO: Volusia County Beach Safety considering using drones for search and rescue Volusia County Beach Safety officials say they’re considering adding drones to the tools they use to help keep beachgoers safe.

Video: Man befriended victim, shared soda and cigarettes, before deadly shooting outside IHOP, deputies say Only Channel 9 was there when Volusia County deputies took a wanted murder suspect to jail on Tuesday. (WFTV)VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Only Channel 9 was there when Volusia County deputies took a wanted murder suspect to jail on Tuesday. READ: Sheriff: Suspect wanted in connection with deadly shooting at Debary IHOP arrestedDeputies said Sammy McKnight befriended the victim, talking to him for about 90 minutes before he shot and killed the man. WATCH: Man accused of murder at DeBary IHOP to make 1st appearanceVolusia County deputies walked McKight out of integration and into the back of a cruiser to be taken to jail. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Gunman & Victim identified in fatal shooting at DeBary IHOP Gunman & Victim identified in fatal shooting at DeBary IHOP (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)The two men talked for 90 minutes, sharing a soda and smoking cigarettes when shots rang out.

Video: Man accused of murder at DeBary IHOP to make 1st appearance (Q McCray, WFTV.com)DEBARY, Fla. — A man accused of murder was arrested overnight. Sammy McKnight Jr. is behind bars and facing a second-degree murder charge. He was arrested after being on the run from law enforcement officers since Friday. IHOP shooting suspect (Volusia County Jail)READ: Gunman at large after fight leads to shooting outside IHOP in DeBary, deputies sayChitwood also thanked the tipster who recognized McKnight and dialed 911. Chitwood said he plans to give the $5,000 reward to the tipster himself.

DEBARY, Fla. — Volusia County sheriff’s deputies said they arrested Sammy McKnight, Jr. on Tuesday night following a fatal shooting at a Debary IHOP. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said a warrant had been issued for Sammy McKnight Jr., for arrest on a charge of second-degree murder. On Sunday investigators identified McKnight as a person of interest in the deadly shooting at a DeBary IHOP on Friday evening. Deputies said the shooting happened at around 6:30 p.m. at the IHOP on Dirksen Drive in DeBary. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Gunman & Victim identified in fatal shooting at DeBary IHOP Gunman & Victim identified in fatal shooting at DeBary IHOP (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)Investigators released images of McKnight’s car a light blue or gray 2007 Cadillac CTS with Florida tag LNI-T47.

The sheriff’s office believes Sammy McKnight, Jr., 31, shot and killed a man outside of a DeBary IHop on Friday. Now, the sheriff’s office is offering a $5,000 reward for his capture.

Deputies said they were able to arrest Sammy McKnight Jr., 31, Tuesday evening on a charge of second-degree murder following a fatal shooting at a DeBary IHOP.

Video: Volusia County to throttle unsanctioned truck event with strict penalties on drivers A lifted truck event was moved to Miami, but some trucks are still expected to head to Daytona Beach this weekend, (WFTV)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Loud music, burn outs in the road and people urinating in the streets. WATCH: Former Volusia deputy awarded $100k settlement, name cleared after chokehold caught on cameraThose are just some of the complaints from the Lifted Truck Meet in Daytona Beach in the past. “We are pushing back, we’re going to protect our community, we’re going to protect our businesses,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. The lifted truck event has now moved to Miami, but some trucks are still expected to head to Daytona Beach this weekend, where another promoter has been advertising it on Facebook. Photos: Volusia County to throttle unsanctioned truck event with strict penalties on driversExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Volusia County to throttle unsanctioned truck event with strict penalties on driversThe sheriff’s office, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores and Volusia County Beach Safety are all pooling their resources together for it.

Law enforcement in Volusia County is once again gearing up for a possible pop-up, unpermitted event called ‘Truck Meet’ in Daytona Beach.

Dispatchers in Volusia County can now see an emergency in real time using a video 911 system the sheriff’s office unveiled this week.

The sheriff’s office said Cody Deel, 33, was driving on I-4 Thursday afternoon near mile marker 127 in Daytona Beach.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood commented Friday on the recent shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, telling residents he won’t hesitate in the case of a similar shooting there.

A former Volusia County employee who fatally shot his coworker “point blank” over the victim’s alleged affair with his wife was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday, sentenced to life in prison, court records show.

Following the Buffalo shooting this past weekend, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood spoke out in support of ‘red flag’ laws in Florida, stating that they’ve helped him in preventing crimes during his time in law enforcement.

Video: 911 video calls to debut in Volusia CountyVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Monday, video 911 calls will become a reality in Volusia County. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said new technology called Carbyne will allow dispatchers to share a caller’s video with responding units in real time. Volusia County Sheriff's Office File photo of Volusia County Sheriff's Office car. Just like a call to 911, the video calls will be recorded, and retained in accordance with Florida law. Reminder: Monday, May 16, is the scheduled start of the rollout of @Carbyne911 at the Volusia Sheriff's Office.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office released its body camera policy Tuesday evening, nearly a week after News 6 requested the policy.

Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to the Mayhem at Lake George 2022 boat party in Florida, where one man was seriously injured, police said.

Police video shows multiple fights happening at the annual "Mayhem at Lake George" event in Florida. One person was hospitalized; five were arrested.

A Samsula man on parole for a previous murder was arrested Tuesday after stabbing a person at a Walmart over a parking space, police said.

The counselor will help route certain 911 calls to mental health care providers instead of law enforcement.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Video 911 calls will soon be possible in Volusia County. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said new technology called Carbyne will allow dispatchers to share a caller’s video with responding units in real time. The platform will also give improved caller location data that’s more precise and available almost instantly. The sheriff’s office said participation in video call is voluntary and the caller has to consent to it. Just like a call to 911, the video calls will be recorded, and retained in accordance with Florida law.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is set to deploy a system that allows video 911 calls to be made during emergencies starting May 16.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A baby and another child were found during two drug busts in Volusia County. Volusia County deputies said they found cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, meth and a gun. Photos: 6 arrested after child, baby found during drug raids in Volusia County, deputies sayExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 6 arrested after child, baby found during drug raids in Volusia County, deputies sayDeputies said while making arrests at the home in DeLand, a 9-month-old and 14-year-old were in the home. WATCH: Altamonte Springs police release body-cam video, 911 calls from Hungry Howie’s hostage situationOther family members are now taking care of those children. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s answer to fixing a major problem in his county—taking care of teens in trouble and keeping them off a path to prison—is a long-needed Juvenile Assessment Center.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As many as 25,000 people are expected to converge on Daytona Beach for a five-day event called the Orange Crush Festival. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood went as far as sending a letter to the organizers, telling him to cease and desist promoting the Daytona Beach event. WATCH: Orange Crush Festival heading to Daytona BeachThe promoter said the event is definitely going to happen. Orange Crush has been held in Tybee Island in South Carolina, where police reported issues with drinking, drugs and trash years ago. Police said the Orange Crush events in Jacksonville and Miami happened this year without any issues.

Lifeguards in Volusia County have been busy with spring breakers.

VOLUISA COUNTY, Fla. — A deputy who uses deadly force while performing official duties should never be categorized as a victim under Marsy’s Law, the Volusia County Sheriff told the Florida Supreme Court. But Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood doesn’t agree. He filed a brief with the Florida Supreme Court just days before a deadly shooting inolving an officer in Winter Park last month. He filed the brief asking the court find that a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force not be allowed to be a victim under Marsy’s Law. There is no word yet when the Florida Supreme Court will make a decision.

In the decade since Trayvon Martin was killed in Sanford, and especially in the last couple of years since George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, policing has rapidly evolved — perhaps the most ever in a short amount of time.

The council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve $5.4 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to build a new juvenile assessment center in Daytona Beach.

Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood received approval Monday from the Florida Supreme Court to file a friend-of-the-court brief arguing that a 2018 constitutional amendment known as “Marsy’s Law” should not apply to law-enforcement officers.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County sheriff is ramping up his call for changes in the way the county handles juveniles who get into trouble. This comes after a 12-year-old girl ran away from Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in August and was raped. Deputies just arrested the man they say attacked the girl in the woods near Green Springs Park in Deltona. The county has pledged more than $5 million in federal money from the American Rescue Act plan for the new center. Plans call for a building near the Volusia County Jail to be retrofitted to house the new juvenile assessment center.

Four Volusia deputies and one DeLand police officer have been cleared of any charges stemming from a September 2021 shooting that critically injured a carjacking suspect who fired at two K-9s, according to the 7th Judicial State Attorney’s Office.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The crackdown on pop-up events is intensifying in Volusia County. Officials say the unsanctioned, unlicensed and unpermitted events create a problem with traffic. In 2021, thousands of trucks came to Daytona Beach where people blocked traffic, did burnouts on the road and broke out in fights. READ: Disney World unveils new ticket option for Florida residentsIt’s legislation that Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood supports. “We need a way to fight back, and I think this legislation does that,” he said.

Officials with Volusia County Public Schools are changing up the daily routines of students in an effort to keep them on track, in line and out of trouble.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he is frustrated at a growing and violent trend of teens with weapons.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office Pay, stress and heavy scrutiny have law enforcement agencies across the country struggling to find applicants. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is working to change that. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Pay, stress and heavy scrutiny have law enforcement agencies across the country struggling to find applicants. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is working to change that. READ: Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts“When you go to the sheriff’s academy you’re not paying anything,” he said.

Lagrotta, 61, has been tied to the crimes by DNA and a palm print left at a 1988 crime scene. The Volusia County cases took place between 1992 and 1998. Lagrotta is accused of attacking several victims as they slept in their Volusia County homes. The FBI ran the palm print through its Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems, or AFIS. Tips can also be provided to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777 or ColdCaseUnitTips@vcso.us.

Orlando police and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office are looking for Leslie Lagrotta for seven rape cases over a 10-year period.

An arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Xyrus Zelaya, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

A 14-year-old girl who is one of two juvenile runaways accused of firing at Volusia County deputies with guns found inside a home they broke into was found competent to stand trial.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Two Volusia County K-9s that were shot during the search for an armed carjacking suspect were awarded Purple Hearts by Sheriff Mike Chitwood Wednesday. Hours later, K-9 Endo was shot in the paw and the chin and rushed to another vet clinic by his handler, Deputy Brett Whitson. “We got medical bills, we got training - you tell us what you want.”According to the sheriff’s office, the group has donated more than $25,000 since September for their K-9 unit’s medical bills, first aid kits, and K-9 medic training for each Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9 handler. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Endo was shot in the neck in 2016 while responding to a domestic disturbance with Deputy Whitson. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Two Volusia County K-9s that were shot during the search for an armed carjacking suspect were awarded Purple Hearts by Sheriff Mike Chitwood Wednesday.

Two Volusia K9s injured during a search for an armed carjacking suspect in September are being awarded Purple Hearts from the sheriff Wednesday morning.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said it received an unexpected gift this week after a Daytona Beach woman who died last year left behind a big chunk of change for its K9 unit.

A 12-year-old Ormond Beach girl donated $1,000 to Volusia Sheriff’s Office Wednesday to help with the care of two wounded K-9s, officials said.

A Volusia County sheriff's deputy was struck and injured while riding a motorcycle, officials say.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and police departments across the county are putting out stern warnings ahead of a Trucktoberfest event planned for this weekend.

A student was arrested after bringing a weapon into a Port Orange middle school Wednesday, police said.

Deputies say human remains were found off Interstate 4 near Daytona Beach.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he’s seen some real improvement at the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Deltona. Neighbors have also said they’ve seen things slow down around the children’s home, and it’s been on lockdown since the last shooting, but neighbors are not confident it will last. Deputies handled 280 calls for service there last year and 89 this year before June 1, most of them for runaways. Those numbers include a guard beaten to death and two children who investigators say got into a shootout with deputies. READ: Immediate changes coming to children’s home where 2 left before firing at deputiesThere have been four runaways since the June shooting.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Eight Central Florida sheriff’s deputies have been cleared of any wrongdoing in a shootout with two children, officials said. The state attorney’s office said in a letter dated Wednesday officials had reviewed the reports about the June 1 shootout. A 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy ran away from a group home in Enterprise and broke into an unoccupied home. WATCH: Sheriff releases video of ambush shooting that left gunman dead, deputy shotAs Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home, the children started firing at them with firearms they found inside, officials said. The boy surrendered to deputies.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla — The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office announced they have arrested Deputy Austin Rosa for domestic violence on his girlfriend, a fellow deputy. The sheriff’s office release said the girlfriend had told her supervisor that she was a victim of domestic violence after a night out at a bar. READ: New York deputies seize 53 cars with fake license platesThe victim told investigators that the violence had started Friday evening when the two were driving home. Austin had sped through a red light and the victim asked that he stop and let her out of the car. He is currently at the Volusia County jail and scheduled to appear before a judge Sunday morning.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — COVID-19 is the number one killer of law enforcement so far this year and last year according to the Officer Down memorial page. Volusia County has lost at least two members of the law enforcement community to the virus this month. READ: Volusia County cousins charged for conspiring to rob elderly Iowa man on recorded jail lineVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the number of deputies vaccinated depends on the department, but the number for his entire department is less than 50% which is why he’s trying to incentivize deputies to get the shot. But he also knows what COVID-19 can do after he contracted the virus last year. He said the virus has had a devastating impact on the law enforcement community locally.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A man accused of shooting a Daytona Beach police officer faced a Volusia County judge Friday afternoon. Surrounded by several corrections officers Othal Wallace as a judge formally read the charges against him. READ: Othal Wallace may have disabled Officer Raynor’s bodycam before fleeing, investigators sayThe Volusia County Sheriff’s Office released a video showing Wallace’s return to Central Florida. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood thanked the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister (who provided an HCSO plane for transport) and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey for his coordination and support. Othal Wallace jailed in Volusia County Othal Wallace has been extradited from Georgia to Volusia County.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A man who was accused of pointing a gun and yelling racial slurs at a Black family while driving through an area in DeLand has been identified and charged with a hate crime, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said. The family had no previous interactions in traffic with the suspect vehicle, or any encounters that would lead to a dispute on the road, according to the Sheriff’s Office. In the video, detectives saw the victims’ vehicle heading south on 15A, with the yellow suspect vehicle, a yellow Chevrolet Spark, following close behind. About two minutes later, the video showed the suspect vehicle speeding northbound up 15A. The Sheriff’s Office said detectives took photos of the suspect vehicle and gave them to all patrol deputies.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Investigators said they believe suspected shooter Othal Wallace disabled Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor’s body camera before fleeing. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Wallace has ties to extremist militant groups that appear in Wallace’s social media platforms. “They’re even trained that, when you attack law enforcement, get their body camera,” Volusia County Mike Chitwood said. READ: ‘Heart of gold’: Who is Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach police officer shot in the head? READ: Suspect accused of shooting Daytona Beach officer may have ties to extremist group©2021 Cox Media Group

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — A “multi-agency manhunt” for the suspect who shot a Daytona Beach police officer in the head has now spread beyond Florida. On Thursday officials with Daytona Beach police confirmed that the search for Othal Wallace had extended to parts of Georgia, specifically the Atlanta area. READ: Suspect wanted in connection with shooting of Daytona Beach officer has violent past, records showThe investigation began Wednesday evening when the officer radioed dispatchers that he was on Kingston Avenue investigating a suspicious vehicle, according to the police department. Live Update: Search continues for suspect accused of shooting Daytona Police officerDaytona Beach police released a portion of the officer’s body camera footage of the incident Wednesday evening that showed the moments that led up to the shooting. Praying for the Officer shot while on duty tonight, and thinking of our @DaytonaBchPD brothers and sisters.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The man who police said shot a Daytona Beach police officer in the head Wednesday evening has had several run-ins with police officers over the years, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. In February 2017, Wallace was arrested on an out-of-county warrant by Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman. READ: $100K reward offered for suspect who shot Daytona Beach officer, leading to ‘multi-agency manhunt’In January 2018, Wallace was arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon by Davie police. In December 2018, Wallace was arrested by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office on battery charges. READ: 3 people injured in drive-by shooting near ParramoreIn October 2019, Wallace was arrested by Daytona Beach police on battery charges that were eventually dropped.