BREAKING NEWS: Daytona Beach cops are holding an elderly man for questioning in alleged homicide; shooting victim's name not released

Headline Surfer photo illustration / David Ellis, Jr., is being held by police as a suspect in the shooting death of his roommate in the house they shared at 136 N. Franklin Street, Daytona Beach. 

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 70-year-old man has been taken into police custody for the alleged shooting death of his roommate Saturday night at 136 N. Franklin Street, Daytona Beach cops said.

Here is a synopsis of what occurred in the 5:21 p.m. Saturday shooting death of a man, whose identity is being withheld until next of kin can be contacted: 

The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) has a 70-year-old man in handcuffs following a fatal shooting this afternoon in Midtown. Cops responded to 136 North Franklin Street soon after a 911 call came into the Volusia County emergency dispatch center at 5:21 p.m., finding the victim in a back room of the home with a gunshot wound.

Paramedics transported the victim from the scene to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he passed away from his injuries soon after arrival.

DBPD’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) believes the shooting happened after the suspect – David Ellis, Jr. -- was apparently locked out of his home by a roommate of his during an argument between them. The victim – a friend of the roommate’s – was in the home when the suspect fired one round from the backyard, going through the back door and striking the victim.

DBPD’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) believes the shooting happened after the suspect – David Ellis, Jr. -- was apparently locked out of his home by a roommate of his during an argument between them. The victim – a friend of the roommate’s – was in the home when the suspect fired one round from the backyard, going through the back door and striking the victim.

The roommate, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead on arrival at Halfax Heath Hospital, police said. 

About The Byline Writer:
Henry Frederick bio / Headline Surfer Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.