Dustin Rose, a 19-year-old Citadel cadet and South Carolina Army National Guard member, and his childhood friend, 18-year-old Samson Campbell, were found fatally shot in a vacant DeLand, Florida, lot. Police discovered the two men on Wednesday at about 10:40 p.m. and have not announced a motive or identified a suspect. Authorities continued the investigation over the weekend, including a search warrant operation involving local, federal and tactical officers.
Rose was home from The Citadel while pursuing his goal of military service. Campbell, who was originally from DeLand, was visiting the area and staying with Rose’s grandparents. Investigators released surveillance footage showing the two friends walking together on Tuesday evening, but officials have not said whether they were specifically targeted.
The deaths have prompted a manhunt and an appeal for information from the public. A family member said Rose had traveled to DeLand to help Campbell spread the ashes of a recently deceased family dog, adding to the shock and grief surrounding the killings.
| 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 executed as suspect remains unidentified |
| 5) | Authorities seek information from the public |
Victims identified after DeLand shooting
DeLand police said Rose and Campbell were found dead in a vacant lot at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday. The men had been friends since childhood. Their families became concerned after the pair could not be reached by phone, and one of the victims’ mothers may have been among the relatives who located them, according to authorities.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed how the shooting occurred beyond identifying both victims as having been shot. The location and timing are central to the ongoing homicide investigation, while the motive and circumstances leading to the deaths remain unknown.
Rose’s military ambitions and background
Rose attended The Citadel Military College of South Carolina and was home on break when he was killed. He was also a recent member of the South Carolina Army National Guard. Family members said he had been pursuing a long-held ambition to serve in the military.
“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,” Rose’s aunt, Jaimie Scarola, said.
Scarola said the killing ended Rose’s life before he could pursue the future he had envisioned, a loss she described as affecting both his family and the country.
Campbell’s visit and the friends’ final known movements
Campbell, who was originally from DeLand, had been living with his aunt, Karen Chobin, in the Chicago area. He returned to Florida to mourn the recent death of the family’s 8-year-old dog and was staying with Rose’s grandparents.
Chobin said Rose was in DeLand to help Campbell spread the dog’s ashes. Police released a surveillance image showing the two men walking together on Tuesday evening, the day before they were found dead. Officials have not determined whether the pair were deliberately targeted.
Search warrant executed as suspect remains unidentified
On Saturday night, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a DeLand home as investigators pursued leads in the double homicide. The operation included the Volusia Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
Police have not publicly identified a suspect, announced an arrest or provided a motive. The search warrant indicates investigators were examining a specific location for potential evidence, but authorities have not released details about what was found or whether anyone was detained.
Authorities seek information from the public
The DeLand Police Department is asking anyone with information about the men’s movements, the shooting or activity near the vacant lot to contact investigators. Tips can be submitted through Crime Watch or directed to the Criminal Investigations Division at 386-626-7400.
The released surveillance footage may help investigators establish the friends’ last known movements and identify witnesses. Police continue to assess the evidence while working with partner agencies to locate the person responsible.
| 1 | Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18, were found fatally shot in a vacant DeLand lot. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rose was a Citadel cadet and South Carolina Army National Guard member. |
| 3 | Police have not announced a motive or publicly identified a suspect. |
| 4 | A Saturday search involved local deputies, SWAT officers and an FBI task force. |
| 5 | Investigators are asking the public to provide information through DeLand police. |
Summary
The killings of Rose and Campbell remain under investigation in DeLand, with no motive or suspect publicly announced. The friends’ final known movements were captured on surveillance video, and authorities have expanded the investigation through a search warrant supported by multiple agencies. Police are relying on evidence and public tips as they work to determine what happened and identify the person responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims?
The victims were Dustin Rose, 19, a Citadel cadet and South Carolina Army National Guard member, and Samson Campbell, 18, his childhood friend.
When and where were they found?
DeLand police said the two men were found shot in a vacant lot in DeLand, Florida, at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
Has a suspect been arrested?
No. Authorities had not publicly identified a suspect, announced an arrest or disclosed a motive.
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.
