On January 17, 2024, a fatal incident occurred in DeLand, Florida, resulting in the death of 51-year-old Clinton Dorsey. Dorsey, identified as a homeless Black male, was found dead on January 18, 2024, in the trunk of a red Nissan hatchback vehicle registered to Travis McBride, a 46-year-old mental health counselor.
The investigation, led by the DeLand Police Department, began after multiple anonymous 911 calls reported a murder around 11:30 p.m. on January 17. Witnesses described the perpetrator as a white male named Travis, later identified as Travis McBride. A key witness, who has not been publicly identified, provided detailed testimony of the events. She stated that McBride had been looking for Dorsey earlier that night, allegedly because McBride believed Dorsey had harmed his dogs by putting glass in a jar for them.
According to the witness, McBride and Dorsey engaged in an argument on Frankfort Avenue, during which McBride shot Dorsey several times. The witness described how McBride then crossed the street, fired additional rounds at close range, and subsequently dragged Dorsey's lifeless body across the roadway. McBride then placed the body in the trunk of his car, which was later found parked at 620 E. New York Ave., near his mental health counseling practice, Starting Point Mental Health LLC.
Police discovered spent 9 mm rounds at the scene on Frankfort Avenue and in a trash can in the parking lot where the vehicle was found. Additional evidence, including bloody clothing and a blood-soaked towel, was recovered from a nearby dumpster. McBride was taken into custody on January 18 and charged with premeditated first-degree murder. He was held in the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.
Travis McBride, the son of retired DeLand Police Commander Francis “Mac” McBride, has a history of domestic violence charges, with the most recent being a misdemeanor charge in 2018. McBride specializes in anger management, PTSD, anxiety disorders, sleep problems, and depression, according to his practice's website.
The investigation revealed that McBride and Dorsey had an ongoing dispute, and the incident is considered isolated with no danger to the public. McBride appeared in court on January 19, where he did not enter a plea, and his attorney agreed to address the question of bond at a later date.
