(DeLand, Florida) – DeLand police officers arrested a 22-year-old Orlando man wanted in connection with a possible road rage incident in downtown DeLand early Saturday where the victim was narrowly missed by gunfire. 

Around 1:59 a.m., the victim and his friend were driving on N. Woodland Boulevard. A red vehicle was traveling slowly in front of them. As they approached the intersection of N. Woodland Blvd. and New York Avenue, the victim honked at the vehicle several times.

The driver of the red vehicle then pulled into a parking space as the victims passed. Moments later, the driver of the suspect vehicle extended his hand out of the window and fired multiple rounds. At least two bullets struck the victim’s vehicle, with one round piercing the passenger's hoodie and narrowly missing his head. The driver or passenger were not hurt. 

Detectives immediately began searching for the suspect vehicle and located it around 3:38 p.m. With the assistance of Volusia Sheriff’s deputies, Daniel Duarte (DOB: 06/28/2002) was taken into custody without incident. A handgun was observed in plain view within the vehicle.

The investigation remains active, but preliminary findings suggest this may have been a road rage incident.

Duarte was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit felony; missile into vehicle; discharging a firearm in public; and direct/discharge of firearm from vehicle.