VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The man accused of leading Daytona Beach police on a high-speed chase down Interstate 95 stood before a Volusia County judge Wednesday.
Donald Harper Jr., 24, is a fugitive from South Carolina, where he’s accused of murder.
Police said he fatally shot another man in the head, stole his car and then drove to Florida for spring break, Daytona Beach police said.
Harper claimed self-defense and investigators said his story doesn’t add up.
Police said Harper’s seat belt saved his life when he crashed a stolen SUV into the woods off Interstate 95 after reaching speeds beyond 100 mph.
An officer with a body camera searched the swampy area in the dark with his gun drawn.
Photos: Man shot driver, fled to Daytona Beach for Spring Break
Video: Man facing murder charge in South Carolina appears before Daytona Beach judge
Hours later, Harper told Daytona Beach detectives he killed Ronald Brown in Richland County, South Carolina.
"What else do you do after you practically execute someone and steal their car? You come down to Daytona Beach," Chitwood said.
Harper claims Brown tried to pull a gun on him and he had no choice but to open fire.
But the Richland County Sheriff said Harper’s confession did not match the evidence from the crime.
At a news conference Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said that Harper had recently gotten out of prison and had a lengthy criminal record.
"How callous can you be? You shoot someone, you kill him, and then you take his car ... and you go to Daytona Beach for spring break," Lott said. "That just doesn't fit."
Officials said Harper is being charged with murder in South Carolina.
According to reports, he’s also wanted there on charges of pointing a gun at someone’s head.
Those are on top of the charges he is now facing in Daytona Beach where police said he came to enjoy spring break with a friend.
Harper is being held on no bond.
He is charged with fleeing and eluding, and disregarding safety with an injury.
Officials in South Carolina said he will likely be extradited in a week.
WFTV
