ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Early Wednesday morning, tragedy struck in south Apopka when Deqwan Chester, a 19-year-old resident, was fatally shot near his home, according to local authorities. The incident, which occurred just a short distance from where Chester lived, has left his family and community in deep mourning.
Family members, choosing to remain off camera, expressed profound grief and confusion over the sudden loss. One relative recounted their last interaction with Chester, noting the heartbreak of remembering his embrace just days before his death. “I’m just broken, broken because I saw him Sunday and gave him a hug,” the family member lamented.
Deputies were called to the scene at the intersection of West Celeste Street and South Washington Avenue around 2 a.m., where they discovered Chester wounded. He was pronounced dead at the location, marking a bleak start to the day for the neighborhood.
Adding to the family’s anguish, Chester’s aunt described the baffling circumstances surrounding his death. “What we know: he came home, unlocked the door, went into the house at 1:50. At 2:01, his friend was knocking on the door, so that’s an 11-minute time period from being at home and being killed,” she explained. The absence of clear motives or suspects has intensified the mystery and prompted calls for justice.
The notion that Chester was deliberately lured out of his safety with a possible phone call or text has been suggested by relatives, who believe he was targeted by someone he knew. The description of Chester painted by his family portrays a helpful and kind-hearted young adult, willing to assist whenever asked.
Neighbors also reported hearing multiple gunshots that night, although no one witnessed any vehicles speeding away, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The lack of eyewitness accounts of the actual shooting has left the community and investigators grappling for answers.
In a collective call for action, the Chester family and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the capture of the responsible individual. The family’s plea underscores their desperation for closure and their desire to see justice served.
The investigation is currently ongoing, with local law enforcement reviewing neighborhood surveillance footage and conducting interviews to piece together the events leading up to Chester’s untimely death. The community, while shaken by this violent act, has shown solidarity in supporting the Chester family during this challenging time.
This incident has also reignited concerns about youth violence in the area, prompting discussions among community leaders about strategies to enhance safety and prevent future tragedies. As the investigation continues, Chester’s loved ones hold onto their memories, hoping for answers that may bring peace to their hearts.