On October 5, 2023, a shooting incident occurred in Edgewater, Florida, resulting in the death of 39-year-old John G. Ellis. The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. in a wooded area near the 1500 block of Juniper Drive, close to 15th Street. The location was described as a "make-shift transient camp."
When police arrived, they found three people shot, with John G. Ellis pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two victims were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the incident, the Edgewater Police Department launched an investigation and made two arrests. Walter F. Russell, 45, and his fiancée, Laura A. Carter, 42, both from New Smyrna Beach, were taken into custody on Friday, October 6. Russell is charged with first-degree murder and several other unspecified felonies, while Carter is charged with principal to first-degree murder.
The police believe this incident is isolated and does not pose an imminent danger to the public. However, the motive behind the shooting has not been disclosed at this time. A neighbor, Carol Mehalko, reported that the victims had asked for help, and she provided one of them with a towel to help stop the bleeding.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Edgewater Police Department.
