Donald Cottle, a 37-year-old African American man from Daytona Beach, Florida, tragically lost his life on March 24, 2018. The incident occurred at the Gardens of Daytona apartments, where an argument between three men escalated into a deadly shooting. Cottle was found with gunshot wounds and was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The altercation also resulted in a 12-year-old boy being shot in the chest and a 45-year-old man sustaining a gunshot wound to the arm. The boy was hospitalized but survived after undergoing surgery, while the other man was treated and released.
Cottle's death was part of a triple shooting that shocked the local community. The Daytona Beach police launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the argument that led to the shooting. According to reports, Cottle had a criminal history, including previous convictions for possession of cocaine, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, and battery on a law enforcement officer. He had been released from prison in March 2017, just a year before his death.
The investigation into Cottle's murder revealed that the argument among the three men was the catalyst for the shooting. The 12-year-old boy, who was an innocent bystander, was hit by a stray bullet while walking in the parking lot. The police urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving the case. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests or suspects were publicly identified, and the case remained open as authorities continued to seek leads and gather evidence.
