DOB: 03/17/1978

Case Number: 2023 304656 CFDB

Volusia County Defendant Sentenced to Prison in Deadly Triple Shooting

DAYTONA BEACH – During a hearing this morning, defendant Walter Russell was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He pleaded no contest in March to Second-Degree Murder (Firearm), two counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

On October 5, 2023, a witness saw the defendant and his wife Laura Carter walk into a wooded area near Juniper Drive in Edgewater, where a homeless camp is located. Shortly after, the witness heard multiple gunshots.

The next day, Carter reported her gun missing to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. The type of gun not only matched the shell casings found at the scene, but Carter also matched the description that the witness gave to the Edgewater Police Department. Ultimately, she confessed to detectives that she went with her husband to the homeless camp the night before.

Russell was then taken into custody. He admitted to detectives that one of the victims had previously attempted to rob him and sold him bad marijuana, which is why he went to the homeless camp in possession of her firearm. After shooting at the three victims, Russell said his wife helped him get rid of the gun.

“We continue our mission to remove violent and deadly individuals from our midst. Our communities are better and safer for it,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case.

The case was investigated by the Edgewater Police Department. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz successfully prosecuted the case for the state. The Honorable Leah Case presided over the case and pronounced sentence.

Carter was also charged with Accessory After the Fact Capital Felony. She pleaded no contest last year and was sentenced to four years in prison followed by two years of community control and five years of probation.