A 16-year-old is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly fired a gun into an occupied vehicle and struck a victim in the head.
DeLand Police Department officers have arrested Tywon Jamal Patton in connection with a shooting that critically injured a man earlier this week.
According to DPD, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Enclave at Pine Oaks Apartments (508 Harrison Place Drive) on Monday, July 2, at around 7 p.m.
Upon arrival, police determined that an armed suspect had fired shots into an occupied vehicle before fleeing the area on foot. As a result of the shooting, a victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
That victim was in the midst of being transported to the hospital by a private vehicle when the driver flagged down police for assistance. The victim was then airlifted to a local hospital, where they were in critical condition as of Monday evening.
Criminal Investigations Division detectives responded to the scene and collected evidence and statements from witnesses. The DPD CID was able to identify Patton as a potential suspect and he was located in the 600 block of E. Division Avenue. After a brief foot pursuit, Patton was taken into custody.
Patton is facing charges of aggravated battery with a firearm, robbery with a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm. Police believe Patton fired shots after he was involved in an argument with several other parties, including the victim.
He was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where he will be held pending further litigation.
The incident follows a similar shooting that took place in Candlelight Oaks last week. Police have arrested 26-year-old Oscar Torres in connection with that shooting.