Deputy-involved shooting in DeLand: Fleeing driver fatally shot

Date Added: May 09, 2026 7:00 am

Deputies and DeLand police are on scene of a deputy-involved shooting this morning in the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 955 S. Woodland Blvd.

The incident began Friday night, when a reckless driver fled from DeLand PD. Deputies learned the driver nearly struck a pedestrian in downtown DeLand before taking off, headlights turned off, running red lights and fleeing west on SR 44. The vehicle continued to flee from responding law enforcement officers.

Around 4:30 a.m., the vehicle was found at the Neighborhood Walmart. The driver again accelerated and attempted to flee as deputies approached the car. One deputy fired a shot through the windshield, striking the driver. The vehicle continued a short distance across the parking lot before it crashed.

The driver was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The shopping center parking lot is currently closed to the general public.

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Update (5/11/26):

Sheriff Mike Chitwood updates the public on the deputy-involved shooting this weekend in DeLand.

The deceased was identified as Brandon Joseph Brabin, 29, Eustis.

A timeline of events is below.

FRIDAY NIGHT

9:10 p.m.:

A DeLand PD officer is on foot patrol in Artisan Alley in downtown DeLand. This is at the end of the Artisan Alley Farmer’s Market, which runs Friday nights from 6 to 9 p.m.

The officer reports a gold Nissan Altima accelerates out of the alley at a high rate of speed, nearly hitting a pedestrian walking through the alleyway. The pedestrian is startled, and stumbles, but isn’t hit. The Altima does not have its headlights on.

The officer approaches the vehicle and tells the driver to stop and roll down his window. Instead, the driver backs out of the alley against the one-way traffic pattern and backs onto New York Avenue, into the path of an oncoming vehicle that brakes to avoid a collision. The Altima then takes off west on New York Ave with no lights on.

9:15 p.m.:

A caller reports the Altima ran 2 red lights and almost hit them in the area of New York Ave and Spring Garden Ave. Units respond to the area, but the Altima isn’t found.

EARLY SATURDAY

3:44 a.m.:

Six and a half hours after the initial incident, another DeLand PD officer spots the Altima, westbound on New York Ave approaching Spring Garden Ave. The officer follows and attempts a traffic stop at W Church St/Craner Ave, but the Altima gets back on New York Ave., accelerates and runs another red light while fleeing.

3:46 a.m.:

A deputy spots the vehicle on New York Ave near DeLand City Hall. It runs another red light on its way to turn south on Florida Ave, then onto Beresford Ave.

3:48 a.m.:

Radio traffic indicates "one at gunpoint, northbound in southbound lanes,” then the car makes a U-turn and heads into the Neighborhood Walmart.

3:49 a.m.:

Shot fired by VSO deputy

3:50 a.m.:

The Altima crashes and comes to a stop at the south end of the Walmart, wheels still spinning (gas pedal apparently pressed).

3:52 a.m.

P.A. announcements to driver, no response.

4:02 a.m.:

Driver is seen leaning down, not moving, determined to have a GSW to front, no pulse.

4:03 a.m.:

Fire/EMS coming in.

4:05 a.m.:

Working a code. Transported to nearest hospital.

5:04 a.m.:

Pronounced deceased at hospital.