Dustin Rose, a 19-year-old Citadel cadet and South Carolina Army National Guard member, and his childhood friend Samson Campbell, 18, were found shot dead in a vacant DeLand, Florida, lot. Police discovered the pair at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday after family members became concerned when they could not reach them. Investigators have not announced a motive or publicly identified a suspect. A search warrant was executed at a DeLand home on Saturday with support from regional and federal law enforcement teams.
Rose was home from college while pursuing his long-standing goal of military service, while Campbell had traveled to DeLand from the Chicago area. Authorities released surveillance footage showing the two friends walking together on Tuesday evening, the day before their deaths.
| 1) | Victims identified after DeLand shooting |
| 2) | Rose’s military ambitions and background |
| 3) | Campbell’s visit and the friends’ final known movements |
| 4) | Search warrant advances the investigation |
| 5) | Police appeal for information |
Victims identified after DeLand shooting
DeLand police said Rose and Campbell were found dead in a vacant lot at approximately 10:40 p.m. Wednesday. The two had been friends since childhood and were together in DeLand when they were killed. Family members may have been among those who found the bodies after the pair stopped responding to phone calls. Police have not said whether the victims were specifically targeted or disclosed a possible motive.
The killings have prompted a homicide investigation in the central Florida city. Investigators released a still image from surveillance video showing Rose and Campbell walking together on Tuesday evening, providing a timeline of their movements before they were found.
Rose’s military ambitions and background
Dustin Rose attended The Citadel Military College of South Carolina and was home during a school break. He was also a recent member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, according to information provided by family and local reporting. Relatives said Rose had pursued military service as a childhood ambition and had been preparing for a future in uniform.
His aunt, Jaimie Scarola, described the loss as the premature end of a life dedicated to serving others.
“He was willing to go to the front line and fight for our freedom, including the freedom of the one who took him from us,” Scarola said.
Campbell’s visit and the friends’ final known movements
Samson Campbell, who was originally from DeLand, had been living with his aunt, Karen Chobin, in the Chicago area. Chobin said Campbell returned to the area to grieve the recent death of the family’s 8-year-old dog. He was staying with Rose’s grandparents during the visit.
Chobin said Rose was helping Campbell spread the dog’s ashes. She called the circumstances especially devastating because Campbell had traveled to Florida to mourn a family loss and instead became the victim of a double homicide.
“It was a traumatic loss. It wasn’t a passing of old age. It was awful. And then for this to be what he’s welcomed with when he goes down there to mourn his loss is devastating,” Chobin said.
Search warrant advances the investigation
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a DeLand home on Saturday night as investigators continued looking for a suspect. The operation included the Volusia Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, according to authorities.
The warrant indicates that investigators were pursuing evidence connected to the killings, but officials have not publicly stated what was recovered or whether anyone was detained. No suspect has been identified, and police have not announced an arrest. The investigation remains focused on establishing what happened between the friends’ last known movements and the discovery of their bodies.
Police appeal for information
DeLand police are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has information about the shooting to contact investigators. Tips can be submitted through Crime Watch or provided to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 386-626-7400.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of the shooting. Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage, process evidence gathered through the search warrant and follow information from witnesses as they work to identify a suspect and determine a motive.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18, were found shot dead in a vacant DeLand lot. |
| 2 | Rose was a Citadel cadet and recent South Carolina Army National Guard member. |
| 3 | A search warrant was executed Saturday with SWAT and FBI task force support. |
| 4 | Police have not identified a suspect, announced a motive or made an arrest. |
Summary
The deaths of Rose and Campbell have triggered a continuing homicide investigation in DeLand. Police are examining surveillance footage, evidence from a Saturday search and information from the public, while the families mourn two longtime friends whose visit ended in violence. Until investigators identify a suspect and establish a motive, authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims?
Dustin Rose, 19, was a Citadel cadet and recent South Carolina Army National Guard member. Samson Campbell, 18, was his childhood friend.
Where were they found?
They were found shot dead in a vacant lot in DeLand, Florida, at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
Has police identified a suspect?
No. Police have not publicly identified a suspect, announced a motive or reported an arrest.
How can the public help?
Anyone with information can contact the DeLand Police Department through Crime Watch or call the Criminal Investigations Division at 386-626-7400.
