Deputies: Two 15-year-olds charged with attempted murder after man shot in Deltona

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County deputies said two 15-year-olds are facing charges of attempted murder after an 18-year-old was shot in the face Thursday in Deltona.

Deputies said the man who was shot was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries but is expected to survive.

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Investigators said the shooting happened after Darren Brown and Mikel Debose, both 15, tried to buy drugs from the man.

Deputies said an altercation broke out, leading to Debose shooting the 18-year-old before getting into the victim’s car and driving away.

READ: Deputies: ‘Altercation’ leads to shooting in Deltona

Both Debose and Brown have been charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, carjacking with a firearm, using a firearm during the commission of a felony and violation of juvenile probation. They were transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where they were being held in secure detention Friday.

Deputies said both the defendants were on probation stemming from a September 2020 arrest, when the then-13-year-olds and two other juveniles committed an armed home invasion at an apartment on Floral Springs Boulevard in Port Orange.

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Following the home invasion, deputies said both Debose and Brown were sentenced to a DJJ residential non-secure commitment program, and released in October 2021. They were each placed on juvenile probation with counseling and a curfew.

Deputies said Debose has previous felony charges, including burglary with assault or battery in 2018 — when at the age of 12, he tried to break into a DeLand apartment and pushed the victim after she confronted him. He was assigned to write an apology letter, attend a “Know the Law” class, perform community service and adhere to a curfew.

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Deputies said Brown was previously arrested by the DeLand Police Department for robbery with a weapon in September 2019, when he displayed a knife and robbed another juvenile of his shoes.

VIDEO: Man injured in shooting in Deltona The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital Thursday. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)

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