Deltona homicide arrest: 9/29/25

HOMICIDE ARREST: Overnight, deputies responded to a fatal shooting at 140 Orchid Woods Court, Deltona. On arrival, 21-year-old Joseph Whitmer was found deceased at the top of the stairs to his apartment. He had multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting was captured on doorbell camera. Within 15 minutes, deputies spotted a suspect in the area matching the shooter's description and took him into custody without incident. Brian D. Whittaker, 49, a resident of another unit in the complex, is charged with first-degree murder. A black sling bag seen on the shooter's shoulder in the doorbell video was also tracked down by a VSO K-9 unit and contained a loaded handgun, extra ammunition, and other weapons. Whittaker did not provide information to detectives. The investigation is continuing.