Darien Sulph, a 25-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, tragically lost his life on February 21, 2021, in Orlando. Sulph, along with 31-year-old Brandon Bevel, was found shot to death inside a black Mercedes SUV on East Colonial Drive. The Orlando Police Department responded to reports of a crash into a bus stop in front of a Wendy's restaurant around 2:15 a.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of Sulph and Bevel, both of whom had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
The investigation revealed that another vehicle had pulled up alongside their SUV, and an unknown number of suspects opened fire, leading to the crash.
The victims had traveled from Jacksonville to Orlando for a night out, and it is believed that they interacted with the occupants of the other vehicle before the shooting occurred. The incident prompted a significant police response, closing off a section of East Colonial Drive for several hours as detectives combed the scene for evidence. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, no suspects were immediately identified, and the case remains an open and active investigation.
Further details about the victims' backgrounds emerged during the investigation. Darien Sulph had a history of legal troubles, including an arrest in 2014 on four counts of attempted murder related to a drive-by shooting in Jacksonville. However, those charges were later dropped. Brandon Bevel also had a criminal record with multiple arrests in Jacksonville. Despite their pasts, the circumstances leading up to their deaths on that fateful night in Orlando remain unclear.
The Orlando Police Department has continued to seek information from the public to aid in solving the case. They have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about the suspects to come forward. The community has shown support for the victims' families, with flowers and balloons left at the crash site as a memorial. As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working diligently to bring those responsible for the deaths of Darien Sulph and Brandon Bevel to justice.
