Victor Small, a 41-year-old resident of DeLand, Florida, tragically lost his life on November 26, 2016. The incident occurred during a dispute over a minor traffic accident in the Candlelight Oaks neighborhood. On that fateful evening, a vehicle accident escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in gunfire. Victor Small, who was an innocent bystander standing in a nearby yard, was struck by a stray bullet and later succumbed to his injuries at Florida Hospital DeLand.
The altercation also claimed the life of Clayton Lowery, 27, and injured another individual, Sam Parker III, who was attending a nearby block party.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the incident began when a motorist backed up his vehicle and struck Lowery's car, leading to an argument that quickly turned violent. During the exchange, multiple shots were fired, and Small, who had no involvement in the initial dispute, was caught in the crossfire. The DeLand Police Department launched an extensive investigation, interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene, which included 14 shell casings.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two men were arrested and charged in connection with the deaths. Charlie Martin IV, 22, of DeLand, and Jevon L. Dennis, 25, of Deltona, were both sentenced to 15 years in prison for their roles in the incident. Martin pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder, while Dennis also pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. Both men were required to serve a minimum of 10 years before being eligible for any reduction in their sentences. The court also imposed additional probationary periods following their release.
The tragic death of Victor Small highlighted the dangers of escalating violence from seemingly minor disputes. His passing left a profound impact on the DeLand community, where he was remembered as a loving family man and a dedicated worker. The legal proceedings brought some measure of justice for his family, but the loss of an innocent life underscored the need for greater efforts to prevent such senseless acts of violence.
