During the investigation into the shooting deaths of Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18, a girl who knew the alleged shooter told police the incident was related to a drug deal.
Keyan Rundell, 17, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the killings. Rose and Campbell were found dead in a lot behind the Athens Theatre on July 29. His father, Daytron W. Etkins, 41, of Eustis, was arrested Aug. 7 and charged with helping Rundell evade police.
The charging affidavit in Etkins case shared some details from the investigation into the shooting.
The report includes information from an interview with a 13-year-old girl who said someone, whose name is redacted but whose father is listed as Etkins, told her about the incident. He told her that he planned to sell marijuana to “Dustin” and “Sam” that night and went to meet them behind the Athens Theatre.
He said when he got there, the “boys” had a gun and pepper spray, threatened him and tried to rob him.”(Name redacted) stated when they took his marijuana, he ‘panicked’ and ‘grabbed his gun and shot them both,” according to the report.
Police found a bag of cannabis near the bodies.
Ektins helped son search for guns, retrieve evidence after killings, according to report
What followed was a frantic phone call, according to the report. The girl came to the home of the shooter, where he shared his story with her. Later, Etkins joined them.
The girl told police she was introduced to the alleged shooter through a friend group, and that she regularly bought marijuana and THC cartridges from him.
After the shooting, he called the girl on FaceTime “and sounded as if he was panicking, and begging her to come over to his house.” He didn’t say why, according to the report.
“When she arrived, he quickly ushered her inside and appeared paranoid, and kept checking the front door to make sure it was locked, and the peephole to make sure no one else was there,” the report stated.
He laid out his version of events about a drug deal gone bad that led to the shooting. He also said he’d left the gun at the scene.
“When asked why he did not call police and give him his version of events if he was acting in self-defense, she claimed (redacted) told her he did not think anyone would want to hear it because ‘he’s black and they’re white,'” according to the report.
At some point, he called his dad, Etkins, and told him the story. Etkins came to the home.
“(The source) stated she was sitting on the couch for approximately 10-20 minutes while Etkins and (redacted) walked around and discussed the incident,” according to the report. “(The source) stated that she recalled (redacted) stating that he ‘panicked’ and ‘tossed it’ (the gun) over the fence.”
The two left to “go somewhere.” He told her that his dad was going to take him to get the gun from the scene. She later retuned to the house, and Etkins wasn’t there.
“(The source) stated (redacted) told her that they had found the gun, but that she was not sure what they did with it, but confirmed (redacted) did not have possession of it,” she stated.
Surveillance video helped police connect the dots, showing the alleged shooter traveling before and after the crime and the efforts to retrieve the weapon.
“The surveillance evidence collected from the area is consistent with and corroborates the statement provided by (the source), who advised detectives that (redacted) and Etkins returned to the scene after leaving the residence in order to retrieve the firearm that (redacted) had discarded following the shooting,” according to the report.
Surveillance video at home leads to key evidence in DeLand killings
Surveillance video from the home of the suspect’s grandmother provided key evidence to police. The video showed the suspect coming home after the shooting, bringing the girl into the home and interacting with his father. It also shows Etkins and the suspect working together to burn evidence in the backyard.
The grandmother told a detective that the suspect didn’t live there but “just comes and goes” and stays in one of the rooms occasionally.
Video also showed the suspect pouring milk on his face after he got home, which investigators believe he did because he was pepper sprayed.
Keyan Rundell could be charged as an adult
Etkins is facing a first-degree felony charge of accessory after the fact. No court events were listed as of Aug. 8.
Officials are looking into whether to charge Rundell, who was arrested Aug. 5 in Manatee County, as an adult and face tougher charges, State Attorney R.J. Larizza said at a press conference on the same day.
— Sheldon Gardner covers Volusia County government, including Volusia County beaches, the city of Daytona Beach and other local governments in West Volusia. Reporter Patricio G. Balona contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Affidavit says drug deal led to DeLand homicides
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
