Andrew Garland, a 20-year-old male from Orlando, FL, was tragically killed on February 5, 2016, in a shooting incident outside the Florida Mall. The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. near the west entrance of the J.C. Penney store. Garland was found lying near a vehicle about 100 yards away from the store's entrance, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Another victim, Samuel Destin, a 19-year-old male, was also critically injured in the same incident and later succumbed to his injuries.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call from a shopper who discovered Destin lying on the ground. Upon arrival, deputies found Garland already deceased near the vehicle.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act. Detectives believed that the incident might have involved more than just the two victims. Surveillance footage from the mall was reviewed to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. It was suspected that Destin was shot in or near the vehicle and then ran towards the store for help. The mall was open at the time of the shooting, but no reports of shots fired were made by witnesses at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Orange County Sheriff's Office made significant progress in the investigation. Novell Johnson, a 20-year-old male, was arrested and charged with third-degree felony murder in connection with the deaths of Andrew Garland and Samuel Destin. Court records indicated that the victims were in the parking lot to sell marijuana to a woman, which led to the fatal encounter. Johnson was taken into custody and held at the Orange County Jail with a bond set at just over $25,000.
The case continued to develop as law enforcement officials worked to gather more information and identify any additional suspects involved in the double homicide. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could assist in solving the case. The tragic deaths of Andrew Garland and Samuel Destin highlighted the dangers associated with illegal activities and the devastating impact of gun violence on young lives.
