Update: Suspect Located, Arrested In Fatal Shooting Outside DeBary IHOP

Date Added: June 17, 2022 10:58 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING SHOOTING OUTSIDE DEBARY IHOP

Volusia sheriff’s detectives are investigating a Friday evening shooting reported outside an IHOP restaurant in DeBary.

The shooting was reported around 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant at 320 Dirksen Drive. The investigation so far indicates the shooting occurred during an altercation between two men outside IHOP. After the victim was shot, the shooter fled the area.

The victim’s identity and status are not being released at this time.

It’s believed the suspect may be traveling in a light blue/gray 2007 Cadillac CTS with Florida tag LNI-T47. Photos are attached and have been posted earlier on our social media feeds. Anyone who sees this vehicle is asked to report it via 911.

More information will be released as the investigation allows.

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Update (6/18): Detectives have identified a person of interest in last night’s fatal shooting outside an IHOP restaurant in DeBary.

That person of interest is Sammy McKnight Jr., 31 (DOB 2/19/1991). McKnight’s most recent address is in Palm Bay but he may be in the Daytona Beach area. Photos of McKnight are attached.

The victim, 36-year-old James Shirley of DeBary, did not survive his injuries in the shooting and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Cadillac CTS sedan that was being sought in connection to this investigation has been recovered in the Daytona Beach area.

McKnight currently has an open warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Deputies are looking for him now.

Anyone who spots McKnight or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact 911.

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Update (6/20): Detectives have obtained a warrant for Sammy McKnight Jr.’s arrest on a charge of 2nd degree murder.

Anyone who sees McKnight or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911, and not to approach. Photos of McKnight are again attached to this email.

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Update (6/21): 

Update: Murder suspect Sammy McKnight Jr. was arrested tonight in Daytona Beach by members of the Sheriff’s Office and Daytona Beach Police Department’s Crime Suppression Team. McKnight was taken into custody after a short foot chase. He is being transported to the VSO Operations Center (1330 Indian Lake Road, Daytona Beach) prior to being taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail.

Sheriff Chitwood will be personally delivering a $5,000 reward to the tipster who called in McKnight’s location.