20-year-old man shot to death by law enforcement during traffic stop in DeLand

DELAND — A 20-year-old man was shot and killed Friday afternoon just south of downtown DeLand when a city police sergeant and a Volusia sheriff's detective opened fire during a traffic stop, law enforcement officials said.

At about 1:30 p.m., the DeLand officer pulled over a vehicle believed to be connected to a recent aggravated assault, and the backseat passenger displayed a gun, DeLand police Chief Jason Umberger and Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a press conference Friday evening.

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Jayvion Barthel, a DeLand resident, died at the scene near the intersection of Euclid Avenue and South Woodland Boulevard, officials said. The driver and a female passenger were uninjured and detained, and the law enforcement officers were uninjured.

Man pointed gun, police say

Umberger and Chitwood released few details of the incident and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. The sergeant and detective were placed on administrative leave which is routine in officer-involved shootings.

Umberger and Chitwood said FDLE's investigation will address whether or not any shots were fired by Barthel as well as how many shots the DeLand officer and Volusia deputy fired.

Umberger said the sergeant was investigating a burglary in the area of South Florida and West Beresford avenues when police spotted a white Dodge Charger believed to be connected to an aggravated assault that occurred Aug. 17.

Chitwood said the detective heard over the radio that DeLand police were pulling over the vehicle, and the detective went to assist as backup.

They said after Barthel pointed a gun in the DeLand sergeant's direction, the officer opened fire, followed by the detective. Umberger said the officers attempted CPR on Barthel, but he died at the scene.

Several area residents, some of whom said they were relatives or friends of Barthel, gathered outside of the DeLand Police Department while the press conference was being conducted inside.

Felicia Smith, who identified herself as a cousin of Barthel's mother, said the 20-year-old "was a good dude" who was a rapper.

Smith also said law enforcement didn't have the right to take Barthel's life. She said law enforcement officers are scared of Black people when they don't need to be.

"They need to do better," Smith said.

Man had multiple run-ins with the law

Chitwood said local law enforcement was familiar with Barthel who first got into trouble with authorities at age 12 for battery on school employees.

"If you look at his criminal history as a juvenile and to where we are as an adult ... (the) propensity toward violence is off the chart," Chitwood said. "For the family, I offer my condolences."

Last September, an arrest warrant was issued for Barthel on charges in connection with a fight at a DeLand High School football game at Spec Martin Stadium during which Barthel pulled a gun, police said.

Barthel was arrested on Nov. 28 on charges of carrying a concealed firearm, being an in-state delinquent in possession of a firearm or ammunition, resisting an officer without violence, and being an in-state delinquent in possession of a firearm or concealed weapon, records show. His bail was set at $25,000.

Barthel spent 33 days in the Volusia County Branch Jail before posting bail, records show. The case was making its way through the courts.

"I'm sorry, but then again, this started a long time ago," Chitwood said. "You can't be running around with guns at football games, you can't be pointing guns at the police, you can't be shooting up neighborhoods and trying to assassinate people's parents."

$10,000 reward offered

During Friday's press conference, officials played a video from a home surveillance system that showed the aggravated assault to which the vehicle is believed to be connected.

Two women exited a home in the 600 block of Parsons Avenue at about 6 a.m. Aug. 17 when they were confronted by an unknown person brandishing a firearm, Umberger said.

The women screamed as the person tried to fire the weapon multiple times.

"You saw a murder that didn't occur because the gun malfunctioned," Chitwood said.

He said law enforcement believes Barthel may have been involved.

"This was a hit crew that he was part of," Chitwood said.

There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the assailant, Chitwood said.

Tips may be shared anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS (8477).

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Man shot, killed by law enforcement near downtown DeLand