UPDATE: ARREST: Detectives Investigating Deltona Shooting That Killed Juvenile Victim, Injured Another

Date Added: December 02, 2021 11:48 am

Contact: Division Chief Brian Henderson
Law Enforcement Operations

Oct. 31, 2021

DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING FATAL SHOOTING IN DELTONA

The Sheriff's Office Major Case Unit is investigating an overnight shooting in Deltona which resulted in one death and left another individual with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. 

Deputies were called to Halifax Health Deltona around 12:05 a.m. after hospital staff reported a gunshot victim was brought there by private automobile. Deputies soon learned of a second victim that also arrived by private automobile to Central Florida Regional Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds. The individual brought to Halifax Health subsequently died as a result of his injuries.  

Preliminary investigation has revealed the shooting may have occurred at a house party in the area of 1400 Waterview Drive, Deltona. Detectives are aware of a disturbance that occurred regarding the house party and are currently interviewing those involved in order to determine the facts and circumstances of this shooting. 

The identities of the victims are not being released at this time pending family notifications. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (386) 254-1537 or Crime Stoppers of North East Florida at 1(888) 277-8477. You can remain anonymous and you could be eligible for a cash reward. 

More information will be released at a later time. 

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Oct. 31, 2021

Update 1: Detectives Identify Victim in Fatal Shooting

Xyrus Zelaya, H/M, 16 (DOB 12/20/2004), is identified as the victim who died overnight at Halifax Health. The other surviving victim is a 17-year-old male, who is not being identified at this time.

Xyrus was a student at Deltona High School. The Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with school officials who are aware of this incident and will provide information to parents/students regarding grief counseling in the coming days.

This remains an active investigation as members of the Major Case Unit are working around the clock to solve this case.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at the numbers released earlier.

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Dec. 2, 2021

Update 2: Defendant Charged With Manslaughter And Attempted Manslaughter

Detectives have charged Markland Sebastian Roberts (DOB 1/5/1978) with manslaughter with a firearm and attempted manslaughter with a firearm in an Oct. 30 shooting outside a Deltona house party that killed 16-year-old Xyrus Zelaya and injured a 17-year-old victim.

Roberts, 43, of Orange City, turned himself in Wednesday night at the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center, where he was accompanied by his attorney and declined to give any statements.

The extensive Sheriff’s Office investigation into this case included more than 50 interviews and re-interviews of witnesses and attendees of the party at 1444 Waterview Drive. The investigation found that Zelaya arrived at the house as part of a group of juveniles who were not invited to the party. Witnesses reported words were exchanged, and a glass bottle was thrown from the vehicle Zelaya was riding in and struck the back window of another car parked outside the party. Roberts fired at the vehicle carrying Zelaya, and Zelaya was shot in the upper torso. The bullet also struck the second victim in the back upper left shoulder region, causing a non-life-threatening injury.

The group drove to Halifax Medical Center in Deltona to get medical treatment for Zelaya. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives began a thorough investigation immediately and have been in regular contact with the State Attorney’s Office as the investigation progressed. “I want to thank every detective on this case from the start, and the State Attorney's Office for all its help over the long hours investigating this case,” Sheriff Chitwood said after the arrest Wednesday night. “I hope this starts to bring a sense of closure and justice to the victims' families and friends.”

Roberts was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was released later Wednesday night after posting $35,000 bail.

For more details of the investigation, the redacted arrest affidavit in this case is available for download at the following link: Google Drive link

There is no body camera footage available for release at this time, and while an arrest has been made, an active and ongoing investigation continues.