DeLand, Florida — (Video below) — Three Volusia County sheriff’s deputies were involved in a fatal shooting incident on May 29 after a suspect in an armed robbery in Orange City wielded a knife during a traffic stop in DeLand.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene on U.S. 17-92 just south of Firehouse Road in DeLand. The three deputies who fired their weapons were not injured.
The armed robbery was reported around 12:30 p.m. at the Orange City Park N Ride, 1299 Saxon Blvd. The victims reported their wallets were stolen at gunpoint, and they provided a suspect and suspect vehicle description.
At 12:51 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the incident location. The female driver complied with lawful orders and was taken into custody. The male suspect passenger refused to show his hands and refused to comply with the deputies’ orders before the deputies fired. A knife was located in the suspect’s hand following the shooting.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, and additional information will be released after the FDLE investigation is complete. The deputies involved are being placed on administrative leave, as is standard following deputy-involved shootings.
The robbery is under investigation by the Orange City Police Department.
The ID of the deceased is Donald Edward Brown III (DOB 10/25/1983), and his next of kin has been notified. The female driver is Erin Casey Finney (DOB 11/26/1991). Finney is being charged with principal to armed robbery (by Orange City PD) and felony murder (by VCSO). She is being booked at the Volusia County Branch Jail, where she will be held without bond.
The deputies involved are:
Sgt. Justin Stewart, 32
Deputy Brandon Coker, 28
Deputy Joshua Sheen, 24
