The mother of Citadel cadet Dustin Rose remembered her son as a bright presence in the family after he was killed alongside his childhood friend, Samson Campbell, in DeLand, Florida. The two 19-year-old and 18-year-old victims were found fatally shot in a vacant lot on July 29. Authorities obtained a murder warrant for a 17-year-old male, who was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service after officials said the three individuals knew each other. A former homicide detective said forensic examinations of the victims’ cellphones could help investigators determine a possible motive.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Victims identified after DeLand shooting |
| 2) | Teen suspect arrested on murder warrant |
| 3) | Cellphones could provide investigative leads |
| 4) | Rose remembered as an aspiring service member |
| 5) | Family describes the circumstances before the killings |
Victims identified after DeLand shooting
Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18, were found dead at about 10:40 p.m. on July 29 in a vacant lot in DeLand, Florida. Police later released surveillance footage showing the childhood friends walking together on the evening before their bodies were discovered. Investigators have not said whether the pair was specifically targeted or disclosed a confirmed motive.
Teen suspect arrested on murder warrant
Authorities announced that a warrant had been obtained for a 17-year-old male and said the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him the following day. At a news conference, officials said the teenager and the two victims knew one another in some capacity. Police also described the suspect as having a significant criminal history. The investigation and criminal proceedings remain ongoing, and the available information does not establish the circumstances of the shooting.
Cellphones could provide investigative leads
Former homicide detective and criminal defense attorney Patrick McGeehan said the victims’ phones could be important evidence because the devices apparently were not taken. He said that fact may make robbery a less likely explanation, while stressing that investigators must examine the evidence before drawing conclusions.
“They will go through their phones. They will do a forensic audit of their phones. The information they can gather from the phone is fairly extensive.”
A forensic review could potentially help establish communications, movements and contacts relevant to the case. Officials have not publicly said what investigators found on the devices or whether the phones have identified a motive.
Rose remembered as an aspiring service member
Rose was a student at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina and was home during a break when he was killed. He was also a member of the South Carolina National Guard. Citadel President Gen. Frank McKenzie described him as a team leader and a valued friend and classmate in a message to the campus community.
His mother, Rachel Rose, said her son had been “such a light” in the family. She said his death had devastated the family and described the loss as the removal of the best part of her life.
Family describes the circumstances before the killings
Campbell, a DeLand native, had been staying with his aunt, Karen Chobin, in the Chicago area. Chobin said he traveled to Florida to grieve the recent death of the family’s 8-year-old dog and was staying with Rose’s grandparents. She said Rose was in DeLand to help Campbell spread the dog’s ashes.
Chobin characterized the loss as especially traumatic because Campbell had gone to Florida to mourn and was instead killed. Rose’s aunt, Jaimie Scarola, said he died before he could pursue the future he had planned in military service. Family members have continued to seek answers as police investigate what brought the friends to the vacant lot and what led to the shooting.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Rose and Samson Campbell were found fatally shot in DeLand on July 29. |
| 2 | A 17-year-old male was arrested on a murder warrant by the U.S. Marshals Service. |
| 3 | Authorities said the suspect and victims knew one another. |
| 4 | A former detective said cellphone data could help clarify the motive. |
| 5 | Rose was a Citadel cadet and South Carolina National Guard member. |
Summary
The arrest provides investigators with a named suspect in the deaths of two friends, but key questions about the motive and events leading to the shooting remain unresolved. Authorities are examining the relationship among the three individuals, surveillance footage and potentially the victims’ cellphone records. The families are mourning the loss of two young men whose lives and future plans were cut short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims?
They were Dustin Rose, 19, a Citadel cadet and South Carolina National Guard member, and Samson Campbell, 18, a DeLand native and Rose’s childhood friend.
When and where were they found?
Police said the two were found at about 10:40 p.m. on July 29 in a vacant lot in DeLand, Florida.
Who was arrested?
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested a 17-year-old male after authorities obtained a murder warrant. Officials said he knew the victims in some capacity.
Why are the victims’ phones significant?
A former homicide detective said a forensic examination could reveal communications and other information that may help investigators assess the motive.