Daytona police: Felon shoots man in carjacking, menaces to kill others – News – Daytona Beach News-Journal Online – Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona police: Felon shoots man in carjacking, menaces to kill others
Katie Kustura @katiekustura
DAYTONA BEACH – A felon is facing numerous charges after carjacking and shooting a man and menacing to kill others, police said.
Marquel Copeland, 26, was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail without bail Monday night on three counts of aggravated brunt with a deadly weapon, carjacking with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by an in-state felon, records showcase.
Copeland was originally in the front passenger seat of a truck being driven by his brother, Maurice Copeland, when they stopped at a Citgo, six hundred W. International Speedway Blvd., for gas about six p.m. Monday, according to a Daytona Beach police report.
When Maurice Copeland, also 26, exited the truck to commence pumping gas, Marquel Copeland moved into the driver’s seat and drove off, according to the report. Marquel Copeland then put a gun to his head and, speaking to the three passengers in the backseat, said “Is this what you (expletive) want? (Expletive) y’all.”
The suspect then pointed the gun toward the passengers, police said.
Marquel Copeland put the gun to Michael Darget’s head, threatened to kill him and told him to exit the truck, according to the report. Darget, 32, opened the moving pickup’s door and Copeland shoved him out.
Copeland then pointed the gun at Katoya Stewart, 33, who instantly leaped out of the moving vehicle, police said.
Armani Mcrae, 16, the only passenger left, had opened the door and was preparing to hop out when Copeland pointed the gun at her and then shoved her out of the moving truck, according to the report.
Copeland abandoned the pickup, in which police found spent shell casings, at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and North Ridgewood Avenue, police said.
The suspect returned to the Citgo and, according to a witness, was swinging the gun around and talking to himself, according to the report.
Copeland then approached Jarvis Talton, 30, who was sitting in his car, and pointed the gun at Talton while requesting he exit the Chrysler, according to the report. Upon exiting the car, Talton was shot in his left gam by Copeland who then got into the Chrysler, drove it in a circle, ending back at the gas station.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri said Copeland attempted to run away when he spotted police in the area, but he dropped his weapon and surrendered shortly thereafter.
Darget, Stewart and Mcrae each told police they’d feared for their lives and dreamed to press charges, according to the report. Talton spoke to police but refused to provide a written statement and declined to press charges.
The four victims were treated at area hospitals for non life-threatening injuries, according to the report.
