Office of the State Attorney

PRESS RELEASE

July 11, 2024     

 

State of Florida v. Zion Jsean Counts

                                                                        

DOB: 08/13/2000

Case Number: 2022 305371 CFDB

 

Young Guns Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Murder

DAYTONA BEACH – After a three-day trial this afternoon, a Volusia County jury found Young Guns defendant Zion Counts guilty as charged of First-Degree Murder (Firearm) and Possession of Firearm by Convicted In-State Felon. Immediately following the verdict, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison.

On November 14, 2022, Counts, who was 22 years old at the time, and the victim were in a verbal argument outside of a Daytona Beach apartment complex. A witness attempted to separate the two men, but couldn’t before the defendant pulled out a gun and shot the victim multiple times. After the victim fell to the ground, Counts continued to shoot him.

The victim died from his injuries at the scene.

“Another Young Guns defendant who chose gun violence and murder as the way to resolve a conflict,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “I hope other twentysomethings take notice and choose other – nonviolent ways – to settle their differences, lest they wind up with the same fate.”

The case was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Leah Case presided over the case and pronounced sentence.

 

For more information contact: 

Haley Harrison | Multimedia Specialist/PIO | Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit | SAOPIO@SAO7.org