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.

A 60-year-old man faces charges after Volusia County deputies say he tried to lure a 10-year-old girl into his car after she got off of a school bus in the Orange City area.

As the coronavirus pandemic raged on, the CDC said nearly 100,000 people lost their lives to drugs in 12 months with almost 10% of the overdose deaths reported happened in Florida, according to the data.

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.

A man is accused of attacking a Volusia County deputy, during the attack the suspect was holding a child, according to Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

The Volusia Sheriff said he's seen changes at a children's home months after two kids escaped and got into a shootout with deputies.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was searching for a way to find better recruits and make better cops so he created the first police academy in Central Florida to be entirely run by a local sheriff’s office.

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.

On Wednesday, the public got the chance to see Ax and Endo, two K9 officers who were shot Saturday morning after deputies say 21-year-old Shedrick Singleton Jr., ran into the wood line in Deltona after carjacking a Lyft driver at gunpoint in Sanford.

A carjacking suspect shot two K-9s while attempting to flee deputies early Saturday morning, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

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.

A judge in Volusia County has died from COVID-19.

Several Central Florida sheriffs are concerned about their brother and sisters in blue because of COVID-19.

Steven Copsidas was on a ventilator before passing away.

Three first responders have died so far this week from COVID-19 in Central Florida.

At least four Central Florida law enforcement leaders are taking part in a trip to the southern U.S. border to get a first-hand look at the ongoing crisis there.

A Deltona woman accused by the Volusia County sheriff of falsely accusing a deputy of touching her inappropriately during a brief pat-down won't face formal charges, according to the state attorney's office.

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.

Following a 56-hour search, police announced the man accused of shooting a Daytona Beach police officer has been arrested and law enforcement agencies are chiming in on his capture.

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.

Violent police incidents involving teens in Ohio and Florida trigger calls to reform foster care system.

Violent police incidents involving teens in Ohio and Florida trigger calls to reform foster care system.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a deputy-involved shooting Thursday night. It happened in the 100 block of Tanglewood Road in DeBary. Deputies are on scene of a deputy-involved shooting at 120 Tanglewood Road, DeBary. — Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) June 11, 2021READ: 2 men arrested in connection with deadly shooting of Titusville manThe subject was wounded but is expected to survive, according to the Sheriff’s Office. See a map of the scene below:Deputies are on scene of a deputy-involved shooting at 120 Tanglewood Road, DeBary.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is calling out the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice after deputies say a 12-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl ran away from a group home, broke into a house, and got into a shootout with deputies Tuesday night. Chitwood said when his deputies tried to take in the 14-year-old for allegedly sitting fires, but the department of juvenile justice released her because her crimes were not serious enough. “We are not saying we do not believe in a holistic approach to juvenile crime: absolutely, positively. when you have somebody who wants to do big-boy crimes and big-girl crimes, treat them accordingly,” Chitwood said. Ron DeSantis to get involved and fix the system.

Police said 15-year-old Julie Ann Hanson was found in a cornfield near 87th Street and Modaff Road in July 1972. She was stabbed 36 times.

Volusia County deputy-involved shooting Deputies said the shootout originated from a report of two runaways from the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. The 12-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl were reported missing shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. In 2020, the sheriff’s department was there 289 times for calls of service. READ: Girl, 14, boy, 12, charged with attempted murder after getting into shootout with Volusia deputiesChannel 9′s Alexa Lorenzo went through all 378 of those calls. A majority of those calls are for missing persons, Baker Act transports and fire alarms, followed by a handful of abuse, assault and battery calls.

Volusia County deputy-involved shootout with kids Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood released body-camera and Air One video Wednesday of a deputy-involved shootout that left a 14-year-old girl injured. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy are now facing attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement officers and armed burglary charges after they got into a shootout with Volusia deputies Tuesday night, the sheriff’s office said. READ: ‘So full of hate’: Bodycam, aerial footage shows dramatic shootout after 2 children open fire on Volusia County deputiesIn the home, they armed themselves with the homeowners AK-47, a pump shot gun and a pistol. PHOTOS: Girl, 14, injured in shootout with deputiesJackson was shot three times and rushed to a hospital. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 Volusia County deputy-involved shooting Both children fired at deputies several times throughout the incident as deputies attempted to resolve it peacefully, the sheriff’s office reported.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Immediate changes are coming to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, from which two children walked away before they broke into a home and shot at deputies during a lengthy shootout Tuesday night. The president of the children’s home called the incident “shocking,” and said that in 25 years of working in child welfare, he has never seen anything like this. McTyer called the facility a child welfare facility, not a secure care facility. READ: Sheriff: Boy, girl used AK-47, shotgun in shootout with deputiesVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared his frustration with the home and with Florida’s juvenile justice system during a news conference Tuesday night. Some of those calls throughout the year include prior case follow-ups, written witness statements, Baker Acts or other legal-related inquiries.

Volusia County deputy-involved shooting Deputies said the shootout originated from a report of two runaways from the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. (WFTV.com News Staff)VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A shooting in Volusia County involving two children who ran away from a group home is highlighting issues with Florida’s patchwork of services for kids in need. As for the Methodist home where the kids in Volusia County were staying, one problem there is volume. The number of kids in the foster care system has grown from 17,000 in 2013 to more than 22,000 in 2021. It’s begun to trickle down to juvenile justice where they are having a very difficult time maintaining staffing,” Brandes said.

Deputies ‘were left with no other choice but to return fire,’ with nowhere to hide but behind trees, sheriff says

When confronted by sheriff's deputies, the pair opened fire, sparking a gunbattle. The juveniles fired at deputies from the house multiple times over 45 minutes, a visibly angry Sheriff Mike Chitwood told a news conference Tuesday evening. “They were traversing the length of that house and opening fire on deputies from different angles,” Chitwood said. Staff members at the juvenile home in Deltona reported the pair missing, telling authorities the boy is diabetic and needed insulin every four hours. Deputies saw the pair inside the home and contacted its owner, who said no one was supposed to be at the home.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood provided a minute-by-minute play-by-play of what happened leading up to an armed 14-year-old girl being shot by deputies on Tuesday. READ: 14-year-old girl injured during deputy-involved shooting in Volusia County8:31 p.m.: More deputies report that they’ve arrived on scene and are being fired at. 8:33 p.m.: A third group of deputies report gunfire from the home. Photos: Girl, 14, injured in shootout with deputies8:54 p.m.: The sheriff said deputies threw a cellphone into the home to try to talk to the pair. The sheriff said the 14-year-old came out of the garage with a pump shotgun and pointed it at deputies.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is scheduled to provide an update on Wednesday afternoon on deputy-involved shootout that left a 14-year-old girl injured. The sheriff’s office said the girl was shot and wounded after she pointed a shotgun at deputies after she and a 12-year-old boy were involved in a shootout. Both children fired at deputies several times throughout the incident as deputies attempted to resolve it peacefully, the sheriff’s office reported. READ: 14-year-old girl injured during deputy-involved shooting in Volusia CountyDeputies said the shootout originated from a report of two runaways from the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. READ: Sheriff: Children, 12 and 14, used shotgun, AK-47 during shootout with Volusia deputies

A standoff and shootout with armed runaways Tuesday night at a Deltona home ended with deputies shooting a 14-year-old girl, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies in central Florida shot a 14-year-old girl who they say shot at them multiple times using a pump-action shotgun. The teen, who had run away from a juvenile group home with a 12-year-old boy, was in stable condition after surgery, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a news conference late Tuesday. An angry Chitwood said the assault on law enforcement officers by two armed children was “something I’ve never seen in 35 years in policing.”