Deputies: Suspect in attempted murder case shot, killed in Apopka

APOPKA, Fla. — The man arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting that injured a young Apopka girl in November was shot to death in south Apopka on Saturday, Orange County deputies said.

The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Marvin C. Zanders Avenue and West 15th Street.

DeBrand Blair, 24, was taken to Florida Hospital Apopka with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body, where he was pronounced dead, deputies said.

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First responders found Blair’s body next to a white van.

There were reports of a green vehicle leaving the scene, but no one is in custody.

A large crowd gathered in the neighborhood when they heard the commotion, and authorities said the residents have provided some information.

Deputies went door-to-door to talk to people who may have witnessed the shooting.

“Whether it’s someone you’re related to or somebody else’s child, it’s hurtful to know that things like this happen,” said resident Marie Parker. “I just wish everybody would get along.”

No one else was hurt in the shooting.

Herbert Jackson is senior pastor of Fountain of Life Baptist Church, which sits adjacent to Saturday's crime scene.

Jackson said some young people in his neighborhood no longer perceive killing others as a shameful act.

“The youth do not fear killing. They don't fear death,” Jackson said.  "I'll tell them tomorrow that we need to do a better job with our youth."

Blair was arrested in February in connection to a drive-by shooting. Upon his arrest, police learned he was a suspect in a separate drive-by shooting in November that injured 12-year-old Jasada Barrette. She was 11-years-old at the time of the shooting.

Investigators did not say if Blair’s shooting death is connected to Barrette’s case.

Blair bonded out of jail in March.

WFTV