Florida Officials Criticize State Attorney’s Office Over Teen Arrest in DeLand Shootings
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood have publicly criticized State Attorney Monique Worrell's office following the arrest of a 17-year-old in connection with two fatal shootings in DeLand.
Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, August 6, 2026 —
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood have publicly voiced criticism directed at the office of State Attorney Monique Worrell. The criticism stems from the recent arrest of a 17-year-old individual implicated in two fatal shootings that occurred in DeLand.
The specific details of the criticism and the exact nature of the alleged shortcomings of the State Attorney’s office were not fully elaborated upon in the provided summary. However, the involvement of the Attorney General and the Sheriff’s Department indicates a significant level of concern regarding the handling of the case or related prosecutorial decisions.
The case involves two separate fatal shootings in DeLand, a city located in Volusia County. A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with these incidents. The precise charges filed against the teenager were not specified in the summary.
Both Attorney General Uthmeier and Sheriff Chitwood have made their critical statements publicly. The exchanges highlight a potential divergence in approach or perspective between different law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies within the state regarding serious criminal matters. Further details regarding the specific points of contention and the response from State Attorney Worrell’s office are expected.
Story summarized from the original created by Josh.Frigerio@fox.com (Josh Frigerio) on www.fox35orlando.com, see more information here.
