Man, 2 teens arrested after drug deal turns into armed robbery at Volusia park

A 24-year-old man and two teenagers were arrested for their alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred at a park in Volusia County on Tuesday evening.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Wes Crile Park (1537 Norbert Terrace in Deltona) after receiving reports of shots being fired. When they arrived on scene, multiple witnesses advised that three young men were in the back of the park with firearms, according to the sheriff’s office.

The witnesses told deputies that they heard gunshots and then saw several individuals fleeing from the area.

At the park, the deputies were soon joined by detectives, as well as the Air One and K-9 units, and a follow-up investigation was conducted. Park surveillance cameras captured the incident, and analysts with the Volusia County Crime Center quickly got that footage to the deputies and detectives.

According to VCSO, detectives determined that a man, identified as 24-year-old Ethan Fontaine, had arrived at the park to meet two teens, 17-year-old Sean Campbell and 16-year-old Terrell Montgomery, Jr., for an alleged drug deal.

Armed robbery at Volusia park on March 19, 2024 man meeting two teens
The man and two teens met at Wes Crile Park in Deltona on Tuesday evening.

During this exchange, the two teens pulled out handguns and allegedly robbed Fontaine at gunpoint.

Armed robbery at Volusia park on March 19, 2024 two teens robbing man at gunpoint
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the two teens robbed the 24-year-old man at gunpoint.

The sheriff’s office stated that Fontaine briefly left the area before returning with a rifle. He then allegedly pointed the firearm at the two teens who had just robbed him, and the teens responded by pulling out their handguns.

Moments later, two shots were fired in Fontaine’s direction, but they both missed him, according to VCSO.

Later that evening, deputies tracked down the two teens, Campbell and Montgomery, and they were taken into custody. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies recovered firearms, ammunition, and other unspecified evidence connected to the shooting incident.

Both teens have been charged with shooting at a public building. In addition, Campbell is facing additional charges that include possession of a firearm by a juvenile and carrying a concealed weapon.

In an update on social media, VCSO stated that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

The day after the shooting, Fontaine was arrested and transported to Volusia County Jail. He is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as a violation of felony probation.

Ethan Fontaine
Ethan Fontaine, 24, of DeLand

The shooting incident on Tuesday disrupted park activities, including primary voting, and some potential witnesses left the area for safety. According to the sheriff’s office, there are no indications that anyone was injured during the incident.

Anyone with additional information about the shooting incident is asked to contact detectives at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s Deltona headquarters at 386-860-7030.

Most Popular

Three OCPS elementary schools receive national ‘Green Ribbon’ designation

Three elementary schools in Orange County are among 42 schools nationwide to receive a 2024 Green Ribbon Schools designation from the U.S. Department of Education.

Orlando man jailed after DEA agents seize 150 pounds of meth, multiple kilos of other drugs

A 35-year-old Orlando man has been charged with drug trafficking after the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 150 pounds of methamphetamine and over 100,000 pressed pills from a local residence.

$5K reward offered for info in murder of Sanford teen

The Sanford Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a teenager earlier this month, and a cash reward is being offered to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Oviedo school resource officer receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Oviedo Police Department announced this week that its school resource officer has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Association of School Resource Officers.

Apopka police ID missing teen who died after crashing stolen car

The Apopka Police Department has identified a teen driver who was killed on Wednesday morning after crashing a vehicle that had been reported as stolen.

Liquor store thief wanted by Clermont police

Clermont detectives are asking the public for help in identifying a man wanted in connection with a theft at a local liquor store.
Orlando
clear sky
61.3 ° F
65.1 °
57.9 °
92 %
1.6mph
0 %
Mon
88 °
Tue
91 °
Wed
91 °
Thu
93 °
Fri
92 °