Robert Cannon

Mass Murderer

Robert Cannon and the 2004 Deltona Massacre

Overview

Robert Cannon was one of four men responsible for the August 6, 2004, mass murder of six people inside a home at 3106 Telford Lane in Deltona, Florida. Cannon participated in the attack with Troy Victorino, Jerone Hunter and Michael Salas. The killings became known as the Deltona massacre and were widely referred to as the "Xbox murders" because a dispute involving an Xbox game console was among the grievances used to justify the attack. The six victims were beaten and stabbed after the four attackers entered the residence during the early morning hours. Baseball bats and bladed weapons were used during the assault. Erin Belanger's pet dachshund, George, was also deliberately killed. The massacre was described as one of the most brutal crimes in Volusia County history.

Events Leading to the Murders

The conflict originated at a separate Deltona property belonging to Erin Belanger's grandparents. Belanger had moved from New Hampshire to Florida to care for the property. While the house was vacant, Victorino and several other people had occupied it without permission and used it as a gathering place. Belanger contacted law enforcement and had the occupants removed. Personal property left inside the house was gathered and boxed. Victorino subsequently claimed that an Xbox, clothing and other belongings had been taken from him. He reportedly viewed Belanger's decision to involve police as an act of disrespect and began discussing retaliation. Victorino recruited Cannon, Hunter and Salas to accompany him to the Telford Lane residence. The intended targets included Belanger and members of her household. Investigators concluded that the men planned the assault in advance, obtained baseball bats and traveled to the house together. One person against whom the group also held a grievance was expected to be present but was not inside the home when the attack occurred. Two days before the murders, Cannon and the other men were reportedly seen with baseball bats at a Walmart in New Smyrna Beach. A store employee later told investigators that members of the group made disturbing comments about using the bats to strike people. This evidence helped demonstrate that the violence was contemplated before the group entered the victims' home.

The Attack on Telford Lane

During the early morning of August 6, 2004, Cannon, Victorino, Hunter and Salas entered the residence at 3106 Telford Lane. Six people were inside. The attackers moved through the house, striking and stabbing the occupants before they had any meaningful opportunity to escape or obtain help. Jonathan Gleason was attacked near a recliner in the living area. Francisco "Flaco" Ayo-Roman was beaten with an aluminum baseball bat. Roberto "Tito" Gonzalez was struck repeatedly and stabbed. Erin Belanger was beaten to death inside the residence. Anthony Vega and his girlfriend, Michelle Ann Nathan, were attacked in or near the master bedroom. Nathan reportedly attempted to conceal herself in a closet but was discovered and killed. The victims suffered numerous injuries from blunt-force blows and sharp weapons. The number and severity of the wounds demonstrated that the assault continued long after the occupants had been incapacitated. Belanger's dog, George, was also intentionally killed during the invasion. Although later accounts identified Victorino and Hunter as personally carrying out several specific assaults, Cannon was criminally responsible as an active participant in the planned armed burglary and mass killing. He entered the home with the group, assisted in the attack and later admitted legal responsibility for all six murders. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Michelle Nathan 19 yr old Male

Deltona massacre