The Tavares Police Department has arrested a man in connection with a deadly shooting that killed 26-year-old De’Angelo Donta McKnight of Leesburg, Florida.
The shooting happened on October 25, 2026, in the 1000 block of Caroline Street in Tavares, at the Caroline Court apartments. Officers responded at about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday after a caller reported that a man had been shot. They found McKnight lying on a sidewalk and began lifesaving measures. He was taken to AdventHealth Waterman, where he later died.
In its initial release, Tavares police said two masked individuals approached McKnight outside a residence and shot him before fleeing in a vehicle.
On October 28, 2026, at 8:55 a.m., police took 24-year-old Jonathan Erickson Louis into custody. He was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact. Louis was on felony probation, and detectives arranged through his probation officer to meet him at the state probation office on County Road 561 in Tavares. He was arrested there and taken to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.
Much of the five-page affidavit was redacted, including details of Louis’ alleged involvement. Police have not released details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, a possible motive, or the roles of those involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tavares Police Department non-emergency line at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
FOX 35 Orlando reported the arrest and the details of the investigation.
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