ANDREAS BUTLER DEEP FOCUS NEWS
Three people were shot and killed on Park Drive early Wednesday morning near Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. on Wednesday morning. Two victims were dead on the scene while the third was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. Police identified Antoine Melvin 43, also known as “Spoke” as the first victim. He was found inside the kitchen at 613 Park Drive with gunshot wounds.
John Burch 64, was found with gunshot wounds on Park Street; he lived at 614 Park Drive across the street.
The third victim Patrick Lassiter 35, is a known transient in the area who was pronunced dead at the hospital.
Police took the suspect, Jerome Anderson into custody. It was Anderson who made the 9-1-1 call according to reports.
The Daytona Beach Police held a press conference at headquarters at 129 Valor Road on Wednesday.
“This is a sad day in the Daytona Beach community. We have three grieving families. I want to commend the officers and detectives that were able to take this suspect into custody while he had a weapon in his hand,” said Deputy Chief, Jennifer Whittet.
According to witnesses and family members Melvin and Anderson were roommates at least once at the 613 Park Drive residence and that the two had been arguing the past few weeks after Melvin put Anderson out. Police said that Anderson had 22 felonies but only five convictions along with 16 misdemeanors with seven convictions including death, drug possession and violence.
Anderson also has a long criminal history and a history of drug abuse. He was believed to be under the influence of heroin or fentanyl during the shooting.
“I just got a phone call and rushed over. They say that his roommate did it. I just feel distraught. This doesn’t make sense. It’s the drugs. They said my cousin was sleep and the dude was on drugs. They need to clean up Daytona and these drugs,” said Keith Leonard, Melvin's cousin.
Anderson also had an open warrant for aggravated battery and tampering with a witness. He now faces felony charges including three counts of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.