Help identifying witness to bottle club shooting

Volusia County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Gary Davidson is asking Historic City News readers if you can identify the man whose image was captured on a surveillance video outside of Papi’s Bottle Club on North Nova Road near Holly Hill after a Palm Coast man was critically shot.

The shooting occurred at about 4:58 a.m. this morning, just as a crowd was gathering in the parking lot outside the afterhours bottle club. Two deputies were close enough to the scene to hear a fight breaking out. As they drove closer, they heard a gunshot ring out and watched the crowd scatter.

“Deputies are still talking to witnesses and believe that the thin, black man, seen in the photograph, with his hair in dreadlocks, may have essential information we need to understand what happened inside the bottle club,” Davidson told reporters. “Investigators believe the man spends time in St Augustine and may be known by someone in the area.”

The wounded victim, whose name has not been released, was found in the street. The victim was taken by ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he remains in critical condition.

Moments later, deputies reported more gunfire heard to the north of the crime scene. Less than a block away, at Nova Road and 8th Street, deputies discovered more blood; however, no additional victims have been identified. Investigators believe the man in the photograph will be able to assist them as they try to piece together the events.

Anyone who recognizes the man, or has information about the shooting, is asked to contact investigator Jerry Betz with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office’s major case unit or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. You can text a tip to Crime Stoppers by texting “TIP231 plus your message” to CRIMES. Individuals who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.