Last Updated: 7:24 p.m.
A suspected assailant was killed in an attempted home invasion on Frank Place in Palm Coast early this morning, authorities say. A second suspected assailant turned himself in later in the day.
The alleged home invasion took place just after 2 a.m. at 3A Frank Place, a 2,700-square duplex occupied by renters.
The man killed was Victor James Betty 28, who’d twice been arrested in Flagler County on drug charges–in 2011 and 2013–and whose listed address at the time was 300 Knollwood Drive in “Iwderson,” S.C. (There is no such town in South Carolina, but there is an Anderson.) His Palm Coast address was 17 Cloverdale Court South, an address deputies went to this morning.
Betty was one of two suspects believed to have entered the house through the front door. One or both may have been wearing masks. One of the residents in the house shot at the assailants, killing Betty at the scene. The other, later identified as Carl Devore, 19, fled.
Both men were armed with handguns when they entered the house, a sheriff’s spokesperson said.
Devore, of 6 Cedar Court in Palm Coast, had been at large for much of the day before he turned himself in, according to a sheriff’s release issued this evening. The Florida Highway Patrol had been conducting surveillance on the interstate, the sheriff’s office deployed K-9 units in the neighborhood, where the sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation unit and detectives have been working the scene since shortly after the shooting.
Occupants in the house were not hurt.
“The most important part I can tell you here is that we’re in the early stages of this investigation. It’s a traumatic incident that happened at this home, we have no motive,” the sheriff’s spokesman said.
He said there were several people in the home. It’s not clear whether there were children in the home. Chief Deputy Jeff Hoffman said the tenants consisted of “primarily a roommate situation. There were adults living in the house.”
In mid-afternoon the sheriff’s office issued an incident report on the shooting. Deputies had responded to the house at 2:14 after the dispatch center reported to deputies that dispatch had been told “someone came in through their unlocked front door with a gun.”
“Upon arrival I observed the front door open and several subjects walking around inside the home,” a deputy reported. “I made contact with them from outside the home and ordered them all to step out of the residence. I then observed a male lying face down on the floor just inside the front door with a black cloth around his face.” A deputy checked the man for a pulse. He was unresponsive. Additional units responded at 2:17 a.m. and directed to check the area for a second male suspect who fled the scene, possibly wearing a white tank top and some type of mask or cloth covering his face. The man on the ground, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at 2:29 a.m.
There were six confirmed occupants in the house, including a 2-year-old child. The five adult occupants consisted of three men ages 18, 20 and 21, and two women, ages 18 and 20.
One of them, Darien Corbett, 21, told deputies: “We had just gotten a new rug and were vacuuming it and the next thing I know my door is being kicked in and I see a gun in my face.” He then closed the door and, according to the incident report, “tried to keep it closed while he retrieved his 40 caliber weapon. He attempted to hold the door closed and showed me abrasions he had on the back of his right arm from trying to keep the door closed,” the deputy reported. “Once he got his weapon he opened the door back up and stated, ‘I opened the door and he pointed it and I just closed my eyes and shot twice and then my gun stopped working.'” Just after Corbett made those statements, his 20-year-old male roommate told police, “He was pointing the gun at my face telling me to grab money.”
In 2013, Betty faced two third-degree felony counts for possession of prescription drugs. The charges were dropped. In 2011, he faced a third-degree felony charged for possession of a controlled substance. The charge was dropped.
“If anyone has any information as to who this suspect is or why this happened, contact us at the sheriff’s office,” the spokesman said, noting that reward money may be available.
“You just don’t enter someone’s home–two men armed with a handgun, unless there’s a reason, and we don’t know that reason yet,” the spokesman said.
The two men were allegedly seeking marijuana, according to the sheriff’s release.
fireside says
Great job by the occupants of the home. Protect your family and home. Awesome job.
Anonymous says
Do any of the occupants in the home have a drug history? Is this a drug related crime?
Realist says
One less bad guy.
Old Lady says
Good for the people defending their home. Kee your doors and cars locked (and sliders too) hope the sherrifs will find the assailants
The Truth says
I am confident there will be more to the story than what we know so far. Stay tuned!
Jason says
kudos to the occupant. Protecting yourself using your 2nd Amendment right is not what anyone wants, but, this is an example of just how important it is!! PROTECT YOURSELVES PEOPLE!! Screw Obama and more importantly Charles Manson … I mean Hillary Clinton. You better believe I am prepared to do the same thing. Do not attempt it. It amazes me how many really dumb people are out there .. it even amazes me at how many smart dumb people are out there … JUST STOP ALREADY!!
Missy Allen says
I am sure they knew the assailants. Nobody goes down a culdesac and enters a random duplex. Something seems fishy here. And at 2 am. Why not wait until people are at work. Something seems fishy here.
GT says
Good shot!
layla says
Why no name for the dead man? He got what he deserved. This is why Florida is a Carry state. Everybody has the right to protect themselves.
These occupants would be deceased if they did not have that right.
Rick says
Very fishy as Missy above stated. Maybe it was a setup? Maybe they were there to rob the place, not burglarize it. There must have been some goods worth the risk and effort. The assailant that got away needs to speak with authorities and blow this wide open. The truth will set him free.
Jack Torss says
If it smells like fish, eat all you wish
Rick says
Maybe the landlord now becomes aware of the roommate situation that was not authorized in the lease. Roommates or a drug dealers den? Can’t wait to see just how this will play out. Police need to get a search warrant and comb that place out and question all the neighbors about the activities in and out of that house. Hopefully the police will locate the escapee before someone else does.
dave says
When has anyone ever came out against the second ammendment and even more for the right to have a gun? Ill tell you ,NEVER. Background checks for firearms would not have kept these tenants from protecting themselves. BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL GUN PURCHASES AND ASSUALT RIFFLE BAN. Thats what we need to work for. If the assailants had an assualt riffle this story may have ended differently
Outsider says
Most, and I emphasize “most” home invasions involve nefarious circumstances. If that is not the case then I commend, but certainly don’t celebrate the resident’s actions. Hopefully he or she was an innocent person protecting his life, and is a member of a concealed carry legal defense fund. If not, this person’s life is about to change for the worse. Nonetheless, let this be a tough lesson for criminals everywhere that innocent people will not lie down and become victims.
Bc. says
Where are all the anti gun folks that comment every time a gun is in a artical. You guys come on here and bash my 2nd addmendemt rite. Well this is how the 2nd works, take my guns and the only one with a gun is the armed invaders different out come for sure. You gun bashers are awful quiet. One less criminal to deal with.
Stefani says
It doesn’t matter whether anything these two men broke into their house demanded them get on the floor and pointed a gun at the young child who is less then 2 years old. Nothing give you this right. He deserved to be shot both of them any one of you if you have children I would hope you would do the same to protect your babies.. –this coming from friend of homeowners who this is about.
DaveT says
I guess the police are waiting on notification of next of kin for the dead man before they release his name. It makes me wonder since the K-9 team didn’t find the guy there could have been a 3rd person in a car somewhere, not to mention I-95 is only 210 yards behind the home. And these men knew something about the home and its residents if you ask me.
MelB says
There is no excuse for entering someones home uninvited. To the previous poster who thinks this may be drug related… It doesn’t mean (if it was) that they deserve that! Kudos to the occupant, you should always feel safe in your home!
A.S.F. says
Drug House.
anonymous says
They always say crime is in the r and p section. It appears to be happening everywhere in palm coast. No place is free of crime.
LindaBH says
I was on that street visiting from out of state. Yes I would say drug related. The traffic in and out of that duplex, all hours of the night could be nothing else. Bad thing is there is a guy right across the street running for sheriff go figure!
Ken Dodge says
The intruders needed to be licensed to carry but not the resident who shot the intruder. That Florida is a ‘carry’ state is not relative to the defender, as he/she was not carrying. The FCSO spokesperson’s use of the term ‘handguns’ applied to the intruders. We are not told whether the resident used a handgun, a rifle or a shotgun.
Anonymous says
I’m glad the homeowners are safe and nothing happened to their home or personal belongings. I was not aware there were children inside the home at the time of the invasion as well. Thank goodness they are safe too.
Nancy N. says
BC – you want to hear from an anti-gun commenter? Alright. I’m going to ask you one simple question: How many articles have we read here on Flagler Live about people shooting family members to death, or suicides, or domestic violence incidents involving guns being held on victims? Etc? ALL THE TIME. Versus how often we hear of incidents like this? PRACTICALLY NEVER.
Risk vs Benefits….I’ll take my chances without a gun in the house, thanks.
THE VOICE OF REASON says
Who vacuums the rug at 2 a.m.?
Anonymous says
I have lived around the corner from this duplex for over 10 years and have had too many sleepless nights from all the trouble caused out of this duplex. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this has been a drug infested pick up spot for years…totally ignored and I’m over it….I’m going to buy a gun this Friday when I get paid..broke into twice, cars upside down in front of my house, cars zooming in and out all night long…I’m done
Jcoach says
Wake up Sherriff…there have been drugs sold out of Frank Court for a long time …as a resident of that area…why are you ignoring it!!!?
Super Fuzz says
Looks like Mr. Darien Corbett is no angel. Vacuuming at 2:00 am, what are you Alice from the Brady bunch?
http://florida.arrests.org/search.php?fname=darien&lname=Corbett&fpartial=True
footballen says
Now he wont get probation.
Mr Nice Guy says
I guess Im not the only one who automatically thought that drugs were involved one way or another…
Ryan says
Because home invasions never happen to random people do they? Please.
Maryjayne & Enrique Rosito says
Right to bear arms wins once again ~
It’s your choice scary or die
No one belongs on your property they come on it’s their loss
hemisemidemi says
Some of us have the distinction of sordid pasts. That small portion of my life is long, long, gone, but I will say that in intrusions of this nature almost ALWAYS involved the perpetrators KNOWING what prizes were behind door #1…The reward simply outranks the risk (in their minds at least). Just hit them when they least expect it, and get out of Dodge.
I do hope that is not the case here, but would not surprise me at all. I fully support our 2nd Amendment, although I am not personally a gun owner. Very glad the child was not harmed.
Jen says
It doesn’t matter if guns are legal or not. Drug dealers know they are at HUGE risk of home invasion, so would need to carry regardless of whether they are allowed one due to the occupational hazards associated with their profession. People need to stop overpoliticizing this; legal carry is even a factor in this case!
Justme says
Who buys a rug at 2:00 a.m.?
woodchuck says
Another one bites the dust.Hey superfuzz, Corbett not exactly on the most waned list.He is an angel compared to some in Palm Coast.But I hear ya.
Retiredlawenforcement says
Now you see why the lines to purchase guns for home protection is getting bigger and bigger.
PC resident says
The residents of this house are in there early 20’s. Cars comming and going late at night is not abnormal for young adults. Often times they get off work late or have friends and a social life. Nobody has a right to accuse them of selling drugs unless you have purchased from them and have proof.
And for the persons breaking into a house with guns, drawn…they got what they deserved, at least one of them did.
It is a shame the owner only fired twice because I would empty the clip on someone who broke into my home and his friend would be only a memory…
It’s time good people start dealing with criminals this way
Resident / victim….job well done
Koda crawford says
My entire family has dealt with enough today. I’ve had no sleep and can’t even think of sleeping. And y’all on here worrying about someone you don’t know and talking crap about people u know nothing about.
DRedder says
Who’s home get’s broken into at 2am by two men armed with guns and masks? EXACTLY. Don’t blame law enforcement, blame the city for allowing duplexes, bad enough to many homes are unregistered as rentals, but duplexes just harbor the lower levels of morality.
Veteran says
Doesn’t matter what the situation was. They came to the door with guns drawn!
Anonymous says
But I thought the Sheriff said there is no drug problem in Flagler County?
Concerned says
Definitely a drug house!!!
Anonymous says
Victor Betty lived in palatka and his girlfriend. Works at internet cafe there .Theres more to this story I am sure
ome says
The City needs to draft up a ordnance that any occupants of rental property must go through a thorough back ground check on occupant’s credit and criminal history before the Home Owner or Relator can lease the home. Seems like these homes are being rented to anybody these days.
Steve says
This should be sent to hussein obama and hilLIARy.
Missy Allen says
LINDABH – are you sure you are not thinking of the W section. There is a home at the end of that culdesac on WEBELO that has traffic going in and out all hours of the night and there is someone running for sherriff on that street. I think you may be confused. Unless this is happening in the F and W section which would be crazy!!
Voice of Reason says
Jason, why all the hate at Obama and Hillary about guns. These were hand guns not assault rifles or long rifles used. They are not looking to take away your handguns or assault rifles. They just want to stop allowing criminals, terrorists and maniacs to freely be able to buy them on the Internet and from gun dealer’s trunks at gun show parking lots. Stop listening to right-wing lies about gun-grabbing and other various nonsense that the orange cheeto man-child (Trump) spew.
Ws says
Hey voice of reason you should stop watching CNN so much then maybe you could understand what Hillary and Obama are really doing to this country!
Mark says
Excellent gun control! I thought drug offenders were nonviolent. Our liberal justice system hard at work, letting these dirt bags run free.
Geezer says
Darien Corbett closed the door shut on the intruders, simultaneously retrieving his trusty
.40 pistol, then closes his eyes and shoots two rounds that find their target.
What long arms he has! Transparent eyelids!
Is this the second coming of Gumby? How does Pokey fit into this?
I can’t wait to see the movie version.
“Close Your Eyes and Shoot.”
A thriller set in present-day Florida, starring Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera,
and Steve-O.
Rick says
Veteran says:
“Doesn’t matter what the situation was. They came to the door with guns drawn!”
That’s what their side of the story is. How, if he saw two gunmen kick down (now get this) an unlocked door and he claims that he doesn’t know if the second gunman was masked? Two gunmen had the door closed on them while he went for his weapon? Where was this weapon? So these two gunmen had the door closed on them and they waited outside the door until he armed himself and then he opens the door closes his eyes and fires two shots when there are other occupants in the house? These thugs watched him shut his eyes and just stood there while he fired 2 rounds hitting one of them. Now lets rewind a bit. These two kicked the door in and next thing he knew was that he had guns drawn in his face. What happened next? He requested a time out and had these two step outside locking the door while he armed himself? Why would he reopen the door if he was now separated from these robbers? Nothing, including the sequence in events makes any sense. Drug/Weed spots are not private residences, they are illegal stores operating in residential neighborhoods paid for by the government (Sec-8) and receiving all kinds of assistance while messing up great neighborhoods that law abiding citizens pay good money to live in. People aren’t stupid and it’s insulting to the neighbors when some ignorant/coconspirator says they are young and come home late from work. Really??? A check-up from the neck up is desperately need here.
Everyone, take charge of your neighborhood and don’t allow this to happen in your sanctuary. Call the police to these locations for every little thing until they find it is best to leave. They don’t belong in Palm Coast and everyone can make a difference. Right to bear arms should not be for protection only, it should also cover citizens maintaining order when the police don’t. Bear arms and take control.
Anonymous says
I knew this had to be drug related. The occupants of the home need to be investigated and if drugs are involved then they need to be charged too.. I am sure the 19 year old who turned him self in will sing like a bird. We don’t need people like this living in our neighborhood. Not doing anything about tenants like this will only allow something like this to happen again and again.
Anonymous says
i heard it wasn’t drug related…..just marijuana related