A 19-year-old man who was shot in the face during an incident outside a Volusia County smoke shop earlier this month has been arrested on assault and firearm charges.
On Wednesday, June 4, the 19-year-old man – identified as Joseph Williams – allegedly approached a “group of young men” in the parking lot of High Sense Smoke Shop (2820 Howland Boulevard in Deltona) at around 6:45 p.m., according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
VCSO stated that the group included two 17-year-old brothers.
According to the sheriff’s office, Williams was carrying a gun in his hand when one of the brothers pulled out a handgun and fired at him. Williams was struck in the face, and he was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Following the shooting incident, the second brother allegedly picked up the gun that had been used in the shooting and hid it in the nearby woods. The firearm was recovered by law enforcement.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives interviewed witnesses and reviewed video surveillance footage of the incident, which led to the arrest of the two 17-year-old brothers.
The first brother, who is the suspected shooter, is being charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and carrying a concealed firearm. The second brother is facing the following charges: possession of a firearm by a minor, tampering with evidence, and violation of probation.
After receiving medical treatment, the shooting victim, Williams, was released from the hospital. He was then placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail, where he is being held on a $35,000 bond.
Williams is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm, and possession of a firearm by a delinquent.