Headline Surfer illustration / Arrest mugshot of Joseph William Danger Woodard released by Volusia Sheriff's Office. The 27-year-old Lakeland man remains behind bars without bond, pending a court apperance following his arrest on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 near the Flagler County line.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DELAND, Fla. -- A 27-year-old Lakeland man twice showed up at a home north of DeLand to meet with a 16-year-old girl he met on Snapchat. It didn't go well either time, Volusia deputies said.
The girl reported Woodard showed up uninvited twice, on Thursday and Friday, and she refused to let him inside.
She was sleeping on Friday when she woke up to a window rattling and saw Woodard outside. When she opened the door to show him she was calling for help, he put his foot in the doorway. She was still able to close it.
Joseph William Danger Woodard fired multiple gunshots into the ground outside the home and left the area in a red Toyota hatchback. The victim was not injured during the incident.
Joseph William Danger Woodard fired multiple gunshots into the ground outside the home and left the area in a red Toyota hatchback. The victim was not injured during the incident.
Within 22 minutes, deputies located the suspect vehicle about 11 miles away from the incident location, headed north on SR 11 toward Flagler County. Deputies stopped the vehicle just north of SR 11 and SR 40 and detained Woodard despite his resistance.
Inside the vehicle, deputies found 7 spent shell casings, 2 9mm handguns, boxes containing about 350 9mm rounds, and six Glock pistol magazines. Another spent shell casing was found in the driveway at the scene.
Woodard was charged with stalking, armed trespassing, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle (no bond), discharge of a firearm on residential property, and resisting. He was being held without bond at the Volusia County Jail, pending a court apperance.
Overview:
A 27-year-old Lakeland man was arrested after traveling to a 16-year-old girl's home near DeLand, attempting to force his way inside, and firing multiple gunshots into the ground.
- Suspect:
Identified as Joseph William Danger Woodard, 27, of Lakeland, Florida.
- Victim:
A 16-year-old girl who was not physically injured during the shooting.
- Connection:
The two met on Snapchat.
- Location:
A residence north of DeLand in Volusia County.
Incident Details:
- Uninvited Visits:
Woodard showed up uninvited at the teenager's home on consecutive days.
- The Confrontation:
On the second day, the victim woke up to a rattling window, saw Woodard outside, and opened the door to show him she was calling for help. Woodard placed his foot in the doorway, but she managed to close it.
- Gunfire:
Woodard then fired multiple shots into the ground outside the house and fled in a red Toyota hatchback.
- Arrest:
Deputies tracked down and stopped his vehicle about 11 miles away within 22 minutes, detaining him despite his resistance. They recovered two 9mm handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and multiple magazines.
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