VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County deputies have arrested two suspects involved in recent shootings in DeLand.
On Friday, deputies arrested Damarion “Taz” Mims and Elijah “Lala” Bruten in connection with shooting at an occupied vehicle on Oct. 29 in DeLand.
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According to deputies, a 9 mm handgun was found under the driver’s seat of the vehicle that Bruten was driving.
Both suspects, 18, are currently being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
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Law enforcement operations will continue in the Spring Hill area in cooperation with DeLand Police Department as investigations into several recent shootings remain active.
Bruten was charged with possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, possession of cannabis under 20 grams, and no driver’s license.
Last week, DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger made a warning to anyone involved in any of the recent shootings in DeLand.
“Wherever we can get the longest sentences for these people that are carrying weapons and firing them in our community, then we’re going to utilize that,” he said.
The task force that was specifically created to reduce crime in the Spring Hills area was the team that arrested the suspects.
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This is a multi-agency task force between the DeLand Police Department, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
More officers are put on the street in this initiative. There have been at least four shootings in the Spring Hill Area, including an unsolved homicide.
Police said several recent shooting investigations in the area remain active.
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