Good afternoon. I called this press conference to make a statement concerning the involvement of the DeLand Police Department in yesterday’s incident (5/12/20) where a Deltona man identified as Gregory M. Howe w/m/37 was fatally shot by Volusia County Sheriff’s Deputies in Deltona. Let me say from the outset contrary to what some media outlets reported last evening based on information given to them by the Volusia County Sheriff that no DeLand Police officers were involved in any kind of pursuit (not a slow speed pursuit or any speed pursuit which had been reported by some media outlets last evening and this morning). In addition, none of our vehicles were actively following him after he fled the scene of the traffic stop. The DeLand Police Department’s involvement in our incident was as follows: At approximately 2:44 pm on May 12, 2020 DeLand Motor Officer Mike Stacy was monitoring traffic in a stationary patrol at South Florida Avenue facing North at West Beresford Avenue. He observed a w/m wearing a neon green shirt driving a white GMC truck bearing Florida registration Z619 drive past his location and observed that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt as is required by Florida State statute. Officer Stacy noted in his report that the front driver’s side window was down which gave him a clear and unobstructed view of the driver and the seat belt violation. The vehicle continued west on West Beresford Avenue and then turned south on South Clara Avenue. Officer Stacy decided at this time to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle for the seat belt violation. Ofc. Stacy activated his lights at the intersection of W. Beresford and S. Clara Avenue as the truck turned onto South Clara Avenue. Officer Stacy noted in his report that as he did this he noticed the driver reaching down and toward the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle stopped at West Carter Street and South Clara Avenue. Officer Stacy approached the driver and engaged in conversation. He asked the driver what he had been reaching for and noted that he seemed nervous and would not respond to his questions. Officer Stacy was eventually able to obtain his driver’s license and went back to his vehicle to conduct a record’s check on the driver who was identified by his driver’s license as Gregory M. Howe of Haversham Road Deltona DOB; 4/4/83 age 37. The records check revealed that Howe’s driver’s license was currently suspended. Officer Stacy decided to issue two citations to Howe – one for the seat belt violation (the initial reason for the stop) and another for driving on a suspended license. As he was writing these citations he had called for an officer to provide back up for him due to the driver’s conduct and evasiveness when asked about what he was reaching for. Officer Stacy completed the citations and approached the driver. Officer Bice had arrived as backup was also present and observing the interaction. Officer Stacy explained to Howe that his driver’s license was suspended and asked Howe if someone could drive his truck for him at which time Howe looked directly forward and put his vehicle in drive. Officer Stacy told Howe, “Don’t do it†at which time Howe ignored his command and drove off. He fled south through the parking lot striking a log which caused a tire and a hard hat to leave the bed of truck and then he drove out onto South Clara Avenue. Officer Stacy then got on the radio and transmitted that the vehicle had fled the traffic stop confirming the charge of Fleeing and Eluding and provided the trucks direction of travel. Officer Stacy also transmitted over the radio that the driver had been reaching for an unknown object during the stop and that he had identified the driver. The time as noted in the dispatch record of his transmission was 3:01 pm. when the car fled the traffic stop. Officer Stacy’s intent initially was to issue the driver citations (one for seat belt and one for License being suspended) and release him. Then when Howe fled he intended to add to the charges Fleeing and Eluding – Fail to Obey Order to Stop and to file all these with the appropriate entities so that Mr. Howe would have to answer for his conduct. Neither he nor Officer Bice nor any DeLand Police officer attempted to follow or pursue Howe as this is the policy of the DeLand Police Department not to pursue vehicles for civil traffic violations or criminal misdemeanor citations. There are instances where we will pursue fleeing vehicles per our policy but this is not one of them. The purpose of such a policy is that pursuits are dangerous and unpredictable and can create additional risk to the public. Unless certain circumstances or crimes have been committed we do not pursue.
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
I really really dont understand americans ( policeman trying to justify shooting to dead for seatbelt/suspended licens waaaaaaw) 🤣😂🤣😂
Shade? J/s
This is why the common sense people have no respect for you Thugs. Your day will come jag stick.
He said pursuits are dangerous. I think it's the dumbass cops with guns that are dangerous.
All cops are a gang. And just what to kill you
Driveing is a commercial activity are you being payed. If not you not a driver. I was a driver I git payed .42 cents a mile
Over a Seatbelt what a bunch of shit . You know where he lived . Why do police chase doesn’t make sense . It’s time for Americans to get this country back . I’m tired of the bullshit from Law Enforcement . This needs to end Everyone needs to start recording every Police stop get these police that think they are above the law off the street and in jail where they belong .
Cops should not be allowed to pull someone over for only a seatbelt violation. It should only be an add-on charge.
Everytime I see a Volusia deputy I give him the finger and tell him he's an asshole…..they can't do shit
I noticed on Google maps that the county government building and county sheriff's administration office is on the same block as these two businesses; "The Half Wall Beer House" and "De La Vega Wine, Tapas and Sangria."
I bet they get lots of county employees patronizing them every day.
May every 🷠involved in this murder die a horrible and horrific painful death. ðŸ·âš°ï¸ðŸ·âš°ï¸
Think its time for citizens in Deland,Fl. Call for removal of the police force. And have The County Constables pprovide for public safety.
You are full of shit
Rules do not apply to cops.
Let’s see here the guy is not suppose to be driving at all for God knows why, not wearing a seatbelt like the rest of the law abiding citizens do, acting strange, nervous and not answering any questions, reaching under the seat for something for some reason, flees the scene putting the public in danger, has a gun in the truck which I am sure he is not suppose to even be near a gun, possibly fires that gun at the police and ends up on the losing end after acting like a idiot… Yeah let’s beat up on the police on how they dealt with this model citizen. Ridiculous….
To all cops in the area he was reaching for an "unknown object" code words…shoot on site. Stupid ðŸ–
It,seems no one in uniform is able to tell any truth.
Fuck you pig,he was reaching for something my ass,Fuck you for thinking were stupid,honestly most people are scared to death to get pulled over,me I don't give a shit you cowards don't scare me.
What’s up DeLand,,, miss y’all
There is no FREEDOM in the US .. despite what u believe
What is the Volusia County sheriff’s office policy on pursuits? Is the sheriff pursuit policy the same or similar to the Deland pursuit policy?
B.s.
Hes lieing
REMEMBER ALL COPS, AND I DO MEAN ALL COPS, ARE LYING, COWARD SCUMBAGS
Just think, this entire thing could have been avoided the the cop didn’t initiate the encounter…..cops create far more havoc and chaos then think they prevent…
And don’t give me that “he broke the law, he wasn’t wearing a seat beltâ€
It’s a bullshit law and you know it
Translation – "I don't care that another citizen was slaughtered like a pig in the street, I just want to make sure we don't get sued for it".
Can one of my American cousins please explain to me what the difference is between his officers and the sheriffs officers. Thanks from 🇬🇧
09:00 "Was he reaching for a gun in his car? I'll have to ask the Sheriff about what they found at his house."
He pretty much just said that.
When that pig put out that the driver was "Reaching for something" he basically put out a hit.
But Deland cops got him killed by sending the call just blame it on COVID plus I think he said he had no weapons will have to look at the clip again
"eventually able to obtain his driver's license"
reality is, the driver had it out the window and ready for him before he even approached the vehicle. license in hand, then proceeded to go fishing for nearly 2 minutes before he even gave a reason for the stop.
How can Anyone believe this cop or ANY cop when Lying is Habitual from the top down?? LOL
This is a chief covering his department's backside from the future lawsuit. There will be hurt feelings between departments.
The coward that he is.
The reason stuff like this happens is because EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AGAINST THE LAW! Stupid ass laws!
When I saw the original body cam video I wondered why the cops didn't pursue the driver.