A murder suspect who was the subject of a $10,000 reward for his capture has been arrested in Daytona Beach.
With assistance from the United States Marshals, the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) took Kevin Stokes (pictured) into custody yesterday afternoon (September 16th) at the Sunoco gas station on the northeast corner of West International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) and Bill France Boulevard.
Investigators discovered Stokes driving a rented vehicle westbound on ISB when he pulled into the gas station and stopped alongside one of the pumps. When the investigators tried to make contact with him at that point, Stokes attempted to flee, colliding with two of the vehicles used by the investigators.
Stokes was then placed in handcuffs and turned over to the Volusia County Department of Juvenile Justice, where he remains in custody at the moment.
Another person in the rented vehicle with Stokes at the time was released from the scene and will not be charged in that incident. No injuries were reported.
Stokes was 17 years old when 19-year-old Daemon J. Carn was shot and killed on July 9, 2019. He died at Halifax Health Medical Center soon after first responders found him near the corner of Weaver Street and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard.
Officers were called to the scene at 3:48 p.m. that day after hearing of an accident between a silver passenger Toyota car and a white-colored sport utility vehicle at that intersection.
Investigators believe the driver of another vehicle – a dark-colored BMW sedan – was chasing the Toyota when it crashed into the white SUV. The people in the Toyota got out and tried to flee the scene on foot heading south on Weaver.
At least one of the people in the BMW – believed to be Stokes – fired a gun multiple times from inside the vehicle towards the people who ran out of the Toyota, including Carn. That’s when Carn was shot.
The BMW sped away before officers could get to the scene.
Within days, Stokes was identified as the suspect who shot Carn. An arrest warrant was issued July 18th on three charges, including first-degree murder.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred as part of an ongoing feud between gangs over drugs and rap music.