State of Florida v. Eduardo Felipe Labrada Machado

State of Florida v. Stevens Brian Charles

State of Florida v. Brian David Whittaker

Labrada Machado Case Number: 2025 106540 CFDB

Charles Case Number: 2025 106554 CFDB

Whittaker Case Number: 2025 106825 CFDL

Intent to Seek the Death Penalty Filed in Edgewater Police Officer’s Murder

DELAND – State Attorney R.J. Larizza filed the notice of intent to seek the death penalty against defendant Eduardo Labrada Machado this afternoon after he was indicted on First-Degree Murder (Firearm).

Labrada Machado is accused of gunning down off-duty Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell at an Ormond-by-the-Sea convenience store near his home on Sept. 15, 2025. Officer Jewell was shot 20 times and died at the scene.

The Volusia County Grand Jury also heard the cases against Stevens Charles and Brian Whittaker today.

Charles is accused of causing a deadly head-on collision at the I-95 off-ramp on US-1 in Ormond Beach while fleeing from Flagler County Deputies at speeds of up to 110 mph on Sept. 16, 2025. The victim died from blunt force injuries at the hospital.

Whittaker is accused of shooting his neighbor multiple times outside of his Deltona condo unit on Sept. 29, 2025. The victim died from his injuries at the scene.

Charles was charged with First-Degree Felony Murder, Vehicular Homicide, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Siren and Lights Activated with High Speed/Reckless Driving causing Serious Injury or Death, Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude with Serious Injury or Death and Leaving Scene of Crash with Death. Whittaker was charged with First-Degree Murder (Firearm).

The cases against Labrada Machado and Whittaker were investigated by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak is prosecuting both cases. The case against Charles is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz is prosecuting the case.