A 30-year-old man was shot and killed Thursday afternoon in DeLand during an apparent argument over a cigarette lighter, police said. 

  • Trevin Taylor, 30, shot and killed
  • 18-year-old suspect, Juan Lopez, in custody
  • A firearm was also located

The shooting happened at about 1:46 p.m. on the 300 block of Walts Avenue. Trevin Taylor, of DeLand, was shot and killed.

After receiving information from eyewitnesses, Volusia County deputies and DeLand Police officers apprehended 18-year-old Juan Lopez. 

Lopez was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm and taken to the Volusia County Jail.

Based on witness accounts, Lopez and Taylor rode with a driver to the Royal Gas Station in DeLand to purchase beer. As they went into the store, Lopez took a baseball bat from the vehicle and harassed the clerk inside, police said.

Lopez and Taylor then got into an argument as the two walked back to the vehicle over a cigarette light. Lopez eventually struck Taylor in the face with the bat, police said.


Juan Lopez (DeLand Police)

After stopping at a home to drink beer and use cocaine, Lopez, Taylor and the unidentified driver went to Taylor's home, a report states. As they got out of the vehicle, Lopez and Taylor got into another argument and the driver attempted to calm the situation.

Witnesses said Lopez pulled out a handgun from his waist and shot Taylor in the head, a report states. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver ran to the vehicle and fled the scene. Deputies later confronted that person, who was taken in for questioning and later released.

According to a police report, a woman who was with her children in her vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Parsons and Walts avenues and saw Lopez running down the street. He reportedly pointed the gun at her and continued to run.

Lopez was captured by DeLand officers and Volusia County deputies near the intersection of Spring Garden and Talton avenues.

Family friend Sally McGregor said she was shocked and cried when she heard Taylor was killed.

"He's a nice guy, so I don't know why somebody would shoot him," she said.

Lopez is being held without bail at the Volusia County Branch Jail.