An 18-year-old man and three teenage boys, all from DeLand, were arrested early Monday morning for their alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting in Volusia County.
At around 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Shaw Lake Road in Pierson in reference to shots being fired at an occupied home in the area, according to VCSO.
The sheriff’s office was informed that the shooting suspects were traveling in a red Toyota Tacoma. A VCSO deputy spotted the Tacoma while heading to the incident location, and a traffic stop was conducted.
The sole adult occupant of the Tacoma was identified as 18-year-old Zared Castaneda. There were also three teens in the vehicle: 15-year-old Jesus Castaneda, 15-year-old Angel Ruiz-Rios, and 16-year-old Brian Hernandez.
All four of the vehicle’s occupants were detained by law enforcement.
During the traffic stop, deputies recovered two handguns, boxes of ammunition, and additional magazines. In addition, plastic bags filled with spent shell casings were found in the vehicle, according to VCSO.
At the scene of the shooting, investigators observed multiple bullet holes in the front of the home and an interior wall. The sheriff’s office stated that one round also struck a television in a bedroom.
There were no injuries reported.
Zared Castaneda was arrested and transported to Volusia County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with firing into an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing a weapon in public or on residential property, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (three counts).
Jesus Castaneda, Angel Ruiz-Rios, and Brian Hernandez were arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. They are each facing the following charges: firing into an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, firing a weapon in public or on residential property, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor.