Last Updated: Sunday, 9:21 a.m.
Two people were shot as they sat in a car near the Circle K on Palm Coast Parkway across from the Flagler County Public Library early this morning. One died, the other was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach with injuries.
The weapon involved appears to have been an AK-47 assault rifle, based on shell casings recovered at the scene. The assailant or assailants were still at large. Authorities believe there was just one shooter, who fled the scene on foot. It’s not clear if he got into a car with others later to get away.
“All indications are that this was not a random act, which means it was specific,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Generally in those kind of cases that does not threaten the community as a whole, but again this is still a very active and fluid investigation.”
“We’re still determining motives and there’s lots of possibilities,” the sheriff said. “But I can tell you that they are well known to the sheriff’s office.”
On Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office identified the victim who was killed as Deon O’Neal Jenkins, 26, last of 28 Riddle Drive in Palm Coast. The agency is not releasing the name of the wounded man, saying he is a witness to a homicide and the victim of a crime, thus exempting the name from release at this time. (Jenkins had a few bookings at the Flagler County jail, none for violent crimes, the last in March 2018 for a probation violation.)
Chief Chris Sepe described the incident as it unfolded.
“About 3:30 in the morning we had a shooting over at the Circle K, Belle Terre and Palm Coast Parkway,” Sepe said at the scene at Station 25 this morning, where authorities were awaiting the medical examiner and investigators were processing the shot up gray sedan the victims had been riding. “We have an active crime scene there now. The shooter was on foot, appeared to be shooting at the victims’ car, first from the rear, shot up the passenger side, then took off on foot. Once the shooter was gone the driver and the passenger were both hit, the driver sped off, called 911, Dispatch advised them to pull over into Station 25 here, they were met by deputies.”
Deputies had arrived at the scene ahead of the gray vehicle. They pulled Jenkins out of the front seat, “started to render first aid. The efforts were then increased when the fire department got outside. The fire department took over. The front seat passenger succumbed to his wound and is deceased.” Both shooting victims are in the 20s.
The driver was immediately in surgery after being transported by ground to Halifax.
Detectives have some information allowing them to reconstruct some of what led up to the shooting. “From what we found there, we believe that this is not a random shooting, we believe that somehow something had happened, that they know who the shooter is,” but “we have nothing on the shooter right now.” Detectives are working on pulling video from all the businesses neighboring the Circle K. “As soon as we get some type of suspect information or some type of clear picture we’re going to get that out, because we want the public’s help” in locating the suspect, Sepe said.
The gas station’s video was secured, but it was very grainy, and between the graininess, the nighttime, and the smoke from the shooting itself, it was impossible to make out even so much as the race of the shooter.
Firefighters on duty at the time at the station were never in danger.
Sepe did not specify or confirm the weapon used, though law enforcement typically will not do so in the early goings of an investigation even when the type of weapon is clear. “It’s a semi-automatic, which it could be anything,” Sepe said. “It could be a handgun, it could be a rifle, it’s not a fully automatic machine gun or anything like that, it’s a semi-automatic from what we’re gathering, which means every time you pull the trigger, a round fires, so you could pull the trigger a round fires, so you could pull the trigger–bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.”
The crime scene at the Circle K was broken down at 8:40 a.m.
“We’re doing all the investigative leads and all the initial investigations that you do on one of these to obtain all the evidence in talking to the potential witnesses and of course the surviving victim,” the sheriff said. “It seems like we handle a lot of calls at that Circle K for whatever reason.”
In mid-afternoon, Staly said the investigation was “progressing well, but we’re a long way yet from putting handcuffs on anyone,” with a lot of unknowns. He said technology, namely video surveillance footage, from surrounding businesses “will play a pivotal role in this case.”
It is the third homicide of the year. The sheriff’s detectives were able to track down suspects in the first two rapidly. In this case, it may not be as quick. Asked if he was confident of an arrest at some point, Staly said: “I am confident that we can solve this case. It may not be an overnight resolution. We’ve got great investigators working around the clock on this.” He said it was an “all hands on deck” approach at the agency, with all resources focused on the case. “That’s what makes us successful,” the sheriff said.
“I’m confident that we can solve this case,” he said. ”
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who has information to call 1-888-277-TIPS or email [email protected], or call the non-emergency line at 313-4111. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
Michael West says
So, if there is a person running around with an AK 47, should we as residents we concerned? Should the people at the soccer tournament or Little League a mile away be concerned?
Why so hush, hush.
Peaches McGee says
“All indications are that this was not a random act, which means it was specific,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
As long as you don’t abuse drugs at 4am you’re probably okay.
jeff says
If it were “hush hush” it would not be on the news. Grow up.
Derrick says
At 0330 am who’s planing soccer
Mark says
I’m sure the culprit passed their background check.
jeff says
Or stole a firearm from an honest law abiding citizen.
Ann says
#1. If a criminal wants a gun, they will get one. Laws don’t mean anything to criminals. Writing it down on paper won’t stop them.
#2. Instead of worrying about a blade of grass being too long, AC units without plants around them and garbage cans in front of houses why doesn’t this city spend a little more time worrying about the additions to the community (low income apartment complexes and housing) that are getting approved left and right. At that rate it doesn’t really matter how tall my grass is. While I like that the codes keep the neighborhoods nice it really doesn’t matter in the long run if right around the corner is scum. Look at parts of the R section and parts of the P section for example, code enforcement just gave up.
#3. Crime is everywhere. Learn how to protect yourself should you need to.
#4. If you are not partaking in the illegal activity you most likely won’t have an issue. Gangs target gangs. More likely than not all the illegal activity we deal with here is targeted.
It’s a shame but it’s everywhere.
angry says
Gun laws should be designed to reduce the number of guns available for the “bad guys” who don’t follow the laws anyway. The fewer guns, the less likely they will be able to get them. No law-abiding citizen needs an assault rifle. The main purpose of the Second Amendment was to give citizens the means to protect themselves from a TYRANICAL GOVERNMENT. Also, low-income does not equate to criminal activity. Why doesn’t the county put more money into programs in the schools to educate their youth to stop the cycle of ignorance/domestic violence/drug abuse and then the violent crime will also decrease.
Steve says
Wild West revisited. Lets see the victims and the perps. Territorial or deal gone bad.
Bill says
Well this is a “shocker about the “victims” “But I can tell you that they are well known to the sheriff’s office.”
Henry says
Just another day in gangs of palm coast, this city has become criminal paradise.
Mary Fusco says
Henry, you’ve got that right. I moved here 20 years ago and the change is unbelievable. I would never leave my home after dark. This city seems to want to attract garbage and that is exactly what they are getting. Sad for such a beautiful place.
Damien says
Yes but this is because the “Shangrila” days of a Hypothetical ITT community are long in the rearview mirror, Many homes are in states of disrepair and are rented out very cheaply. Sheriff Staley is doing a phenomenal job considering the influx of Residents not quite what the original community plan planned for. Our Sheriffs Deputies cannot be everywhere all the time. I was at that gas station earlier that day, the parking lot is a cluster-“F” but this is crazy. Let Rick do his job, He’s the Man…
Scott Andersen says
Pretty sure the first homicide was only quick because his Mother talked him into turning himself in. Otherwise he would or could still be out there. Just saying that your inflated chest Mr. Staley can’t be all muscle.
Right says
Right on.
Tom says
Sounds like a classic mafia hit. Palm Coast is little NY.
palmcoaster says
These drugs dealings kill! So the community needs to aid our law enforcement by “when we see, hear something say something” to help our sheriff catch these criminals and throw them in jail or boot them from our city. That works!
Larry Beighle says
Another bad guy with a gun! Lets get the guns away from them not the good guys!
BW says
Here’s the bottom line for me, the Sheriff needed to stop with popularity junk and stamp out the gang crap. Flemming did it. The green roof inn and bi go junk needs to stop. Focus the efforts on the gang junk as we have had multiple violent shootings related to that. Public shootings wipe out any reduction in crime for me. So touting 20% reductions when we have multiple cases of shootouts is ludicrous. Stop with the politics junks and wipe this crap out.
Ann says
^ This!!! Absolutely 100% correct. What are we down? Change thieves? People stealing a shirt from Kohl’s? The 20% reduction is petite crime means nothing when shootings are happening left and right.
wendy m smith says
I agree. There are known spots where criminals of all types but mainly drugs selling and sharing where the police should know of and patrol. Its easy access to these places and easy access to whom the law should be actually arresting and not being so gentle with. If someone does not answer a knock approach neighbor have you seen activity? Yes of course and if someone is getting beaten up to the point of being held captive police should be given landlord number and have them come right over to open the door.Landlords right and priviledge. I have seen too many nice police people and that is great but when the need for a more strong approach is needed as in the well known areas and houses and duplexes that house unlawful people I believe a patrol should become less near a patterned time of police being off and on the job and more at irregular hrs to catch the gang members and arrest the corruptors of teens . I could say much more on what has transpired but all this is common sense. As a citizen of PC I am up and about at 4 to walk now because of lack of citizen respect I have to curtail my life because of some killer. Not fair. I pay taxes on time I pay ins on time I pay everything on time why can’t the police create alternate policing to cover all hrs and not just the ones that are convenient for them to get home!! The city patrols lack respect for following the rules run lights run stop signs do not use blinkers and do not stop people who are lurking about. I had incident down Cocoa way some time ago whereas someone either drunk or drugs or mentally ill asked me the time I said about 4:30 -5:40 AM just as a patrol car turned down cocoa way and then turned around and bypassed this person throwing glass bottles at me and cans and all sorts of trash from the garbage cans right at the area the patrol car began his turn right onto palm harbor pkwy. I was appalled by the lack of stopping this person from being a possible serious attacker. I got home called police and when I told the dispatch about it he acted like I was a pain in the butt!!
No report was taken no police car came to my house nothing. I gave a description and that was taken down but in the time it took to write it or type it via one finger at a time a patrol car could have been on sight. When I told dispatch about the neglect of patrol car not stopping before as the crimes against me were about to be committed and my wave to have him/her stop dispatch totally ignored and I truly believe the dispatch was covering some ones butt over their lack of stopping . Many times I see city patrol coming up and down Palm Harbor pkwy but they speed by so fast I know its just to get the ride over with and go home to get some shut eye. I do my due diligence in protecting my neighborhood while they sleep right and tidy in their beds I report anything that seems really out of the norm. There seems to be money for play time but none for serious work plenty of awards going out but so many criminals being let out on wrong parole!!! The judges negate what the police actually do and then another drug addict is out to join his buddies and in time escalates to more serious crimes such as Belle Terre murder.
Willy Boy says
Very little of benefit occurs at 3 a.m. on the street.
palmcoaster says
Those AK47 bought and sold with no background checks…our lives cut short for the sake of the NRA and gun good business.
The community needs to collaborate more with the sheriff if “we see or hear something, say something”. Works well to rid our community from these criminals.
Suzette Lockett says
Even if there was a back ground check and passed you are not aloud to own an AK47. And if you finish the article you will see that they say they are not sure what the weapon was just that it was a semi automatic.
Denton Newland says
Why can we not own an AK47? They are not illegal.
Fully automatic fire arms require special approval. Lots of honest citizens own them. Put the criminals in jail and leave the good guys alone.
Jon says
Parenting skills 101.. Where are their parents???Hmmmmm
PC says
You would be surprised! Let’s just say no matter what you do for a living or your economic status or how “WELL” you raise a child, they are going going to grow up to be who they are going to be regardless. It’s not always the parents fault but the society that the child grows up in plays a tremendous role. But I see your point, it is often easier to just blame the parents. So I’m going to return this to you with maybe“Politics 101”.
Think Before You Speak says
Parents? He was 26 not 15! Some of these comments show nothing more then a lack of intelligence. This isn’t a blame the parents situation we are not talking about teenage kids. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Many of you are speculating without all the facts. Unless you know more about this case which I highly doubt, maybe even have actual facts to support your uneducated opinions.. stop talking… shut it… it’s time to take a seat. Maybe stop and think before you puff your chest behind the keypad of your cell phone with less then helpful opinions. Placing blame on a victim and the parents of a adult is disturbing and if your wondering what’s wrong with palm coast I would say your responses are part of it. Unless you know more information that will actually help solve a murder then I would stop speculating. The facts will eventually come out and people will form their opinions then. Before any of you do maybe stop and think before you type your response for the world to see. Does it occur to anyone that he had great parents who are really struggling right now? No I doubt it because that would take actual thought and consideration for someone other then yourselves. However from what I’m reading from a majority of you that may be to much to ask.
Mia says
@ Think Before You Speak: Sorry but statistics also show that these criminals don’t come from law abiding hard working parents..
That’s what’s wrong with Palm Coast? Our opinions? No, it’s these kids that somehow think gangs are cool and drugs are ok.
We wouldn’t dream of disappointing our parents when we were kids (only 20 yrs ago). We knew right from wrong and didn’t dare go wrong. Not bec we’d be beat or punished but because we’d disappoint the parents we respect.
Shut it? Nah I don’t think so. Punks. Druggies. Disrespectful little creeps. The parents should be fined every time one of their under 18 yr old kids is out wreaking havoc on our town. They should be fined if these kids commit a crime. They should pay for the incarceration of these punks they’ve raised to be criminals.
Harsh? I don’t care. How’s that “think before you speak”? I thought and I
Spoke. Too bad.
Dejuana Benson says
Criminal on criminal crime. Criminals don’t obey no laws. Lost my brother this same way. He was selling drugs and nothing good come from it. He knew better and that’s the shame. These boys don’t need gun background check. They buy guns anywhere and they won’t stop no matter all the new laws and checks. Nothing stops a criminal from doing what he wants to do. You don’t know it?
CLIF says
A lotta years ago in a small arm town in Oklahoma, a good friend of mine told me it’s not late til 2 (AM) then it’s too late. I have stayed by that all my years in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Jacksonville and Chicago. It has served me well. That’s when we need law enforcement at full strength
ASF says
Just a few days ago, I posted a comment on another article in Flaglerlive about the gang activity in Flagler County/Palm Coast. And was responded to with comments about how there isn’t a “gang problem” in Palm Coast. Heads in the sand, people…never did anyone any good.
Willy Boy says
At a safety meeting at the library a Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy poo-pooed the gang theory. Said they were a bunch of wannabe’s.
Right says
To dismiss them as “wannabe’s” is ignorant of that deputy. The “wannabe’s” can be even more dangerous than the real thing. How many shootings in the last year have been conducted by these “wannabe’s” we have a popular Sheriff because he throws himself into these incidents to get recognition and thanks his “team” instead of “deputies” taking recognition away from them. The tough on crime threat is empty. The public doesn’t get the truth and crime is downplayed. It started with Manfre because he didn’t really know what he was doing in the first place and the trend continues with Staly who should know better but he’s discovered the secret to politicking so who cares. The art of passing perception as reality. If you say it enough, people believe it.
Cindy says
There’s been gangs here for 20 years. Police Dept knows this. Stop burying your head in the sand. There’s alot we as citizens don’t know about
The Stop says
We need “common sense” gun laws to be passed. We need to stop “loopholes” we need “comprehensive background checks” we need to “remove weapons of war” did I hit all the liberal talking points? what we really need is a law that makes it illegal to kill another human. Oh wait I think that one exists already. …bad guys do bad things. 10 million laws will not turn bad guys into good guys..
Dennis says
The AK47 comment is typical, due to the fact that democrats and cops don’t like the public to have these types of guns and try to pin everything on so called assault weapons. The semi automatic statement is crap. You bet a bang bang bang out of every type of gun when you pull the trigger. Just another comment that makes no sense. The type of gun used is easily identified by the shell case.
CB from PC says
Well, should we be watching for Preppie types in Penny Loafers as possible perp(s)? Or is identifying race, age and gender of the “victims” and “suspect” off limits, as that would be “racist”?
Fuggetaboutit says
“Preppie types in Penny Loafers”…… LMAO! CB from PC, ya’ gotta be PC
Doug says
Keep expanding the area and shootings like this will only get worse. This county has gone to crap since Palm Coast’s population has grown.
Nicholas R Cangemi says
This is a tragedy that I truly hope they get to the bottom of!