Troy Victorino

Mass Murderer

Troy Victorino and the 2004 Deltona Massacre

Background

Troy Victorino was the principal organizer of one of the most notorious mass murders in Florida history. During the early morning hours of August 6, 2004, Victorino and three accomplices entered a rented house at 3106 Telford Lane in Deltona, Florida, and murdered six people. The victims were attacked with aluminum baseball bats and knives or other bladed weapons. A pet dog was also killed. The crime became known as the Deltona massacre and was frequently labeled the "Xbox murders." Although an Xbox video-game system was among the property Victorino claimed had been taken from him, investigators and prosecutors concluded that the killings were primarily driven by revenge, anger and Victorino's belief that he had been disrespected.

The Dispute Before the Murders

Before the massacre, Victorino and several associates had been staying without permission at a vacant Deltona residence owned by the grandparents of Erin Belanger. Belanger had moved to Florida from New Hampshire and was responsible for watching the property. She discovered that Victorino and others were using the house as a place to stay and hold gatherings. Belanger contacted law enforcement and had the unauthorized occupants removed. Property left inside the house was collected and boxed. Victorino later claimed that an Xbox, clothing and other belongings had been withheld or stolen. He repeatedly attempted to recover the property and became increasingly hostile toward Belanger and the people living with her on Telford Lane. Witnesses later described Victorino as being enraged that Belanger had involved the police. Prosecutors maintained that he interpreted her actions as a public humiliation and began planning retaliation. The disagreement over his possessions became the stated grievance, but evidence presented in court showed that Victorino's objective went far beyond retrieving property.

Planning the Attack

Victorino recruited Jerone Hunter, Robert Cannon and Michael Salas to participate in an attack on the Telford Lane residence. Testimony and physical evidence established that the men gathered weapons and discussed assaulting the occupants before the murders occurred. Baseball bats were obtained in the days preceding the attack. The men also had bladed weapons. Investigators concluded that the group intended to enter the residence while its occupants were vulnerable and prevent anyone inside from surviving as a witness. Victorino was already on probation and had an extensive history of violence and incarceration. He had been arrested on a separate battery allegation on July 29, 2004, approximately one week before the massacre, but was released on bail. He met with his probation officer on August 5, the day before the killings, but was not taken into custody for a probation violation. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Jonathan Gleason 17 yr old Male

Deltona massacre