A bystander was fatally shot in Apopka, Florida, after intervening in a roadside altercation involving a man and a woman, authorities said. Raul Lionel Vazquez, 26, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 56-year-old Daryl Alexander Hill. The shooting followed a vehicle crash and a physical confrontation near an intersection northwest of Orlando. Vazquez was out on bond in a separate aggravated assault case involving an alleged deadly weapon.
Deputies found Hill with a gunshot wound on Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, 2026. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour later, according to an arrest affidavit. Investigators said Vazquez retrieved a shotgun from a pickup truck and fired as Hill was running away.
| 1) | Emergency response and death investigation |
| 2) | Roadside dispute before the shooting |
| 3) | Shotgun allegation and suspect’s account |
| 4) | Victim’s family and community remembrance |
| 5) | Existing bond and earlier criminal cases |
Emergency response and death investigation
Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded at about 8:27 a.m. Tuesday to an intersection in Apopka, a community northwest of Orlando. They found Hill lying face down with a gunshot wound. Emergency personnel transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:20 a.m.
The sheriff’s office identified Vazquez as the suspect and charged him with second-degree murder. The arrest affidavit describes witness accounts and information gathered during the investigation. The case remains an allegation, and the charge must be resolved through the court process.
Roadside dispute before the shooting
According to the affidavit, Vazquez and Kaidy Honaker were arguing inside a white Chevrolet Silverado when the truck crashed into a black Lexus. Witnesses said the dispute continued on a sidewalk after the collision.
Vazquez was reportedly shirtless and barefoot and appeared to be yelling and pointing at Honaker. Several witnesses told investigators that Hill was riding a bicycle nearby when he became involved. The affidavit says Hill and Vazquez tackled each other into bushes, with Honaker later joining the struggle and saying she was trying to pull Hill away from Vazquez.
Shotgun allegation and suspect’s account
After the fight in the bushes, Hill allegedly ran from Vazquez with his hands raised and called for help. Investigators said Vazquez went to his pickup truck, retrieved an object later identified as a shotgun and fired one round. The shot struck Hill, causing him to fall.
During an interview, Vazquez gave investigators multiple accounts of the incident, according to the affidavit. He said Hill had been fighting him and gaining the advantage. Authorities have not indicated that a court has determined the final facts of the shooting, and no attorney was listed for Vazquez in the available case information.
Victim’s family and community remembrance
Hill was 56 and left behind his wife, Suzy Hill, and their 10-year-old daughter. A fundraising page established by a friend of his wife described him as warm, humorous and able to bring joy to others.
The circumstances brought Hill into a dispute that began after a traffic crash and involved people who were not initially part of the vehicle collision. His death has left his family facing funeral and related expenses while the criminal case proceeds.
Existing bond and earlier criminal cases
Vazquez was out on a $5,000 surety bond when the shooting occurred, court records show. The bond stemmed from an Apopka case involving an alleged Nov. 13, 2025, incident in which Vazquez and an accomplice were accused of threatening someone with a gun. Vazquez pleaded not guilty to the aggravated assault charges in February.
Court records also show that Vazquez was arrested in March 2025 in a domestic violence case that allegedly involved strangulation. He pleaded not guilty, and the bond in that case was later discharged. The Apopka Police Department said decisions about granting bond are made by the state attorney’s office. No immediate comment was available from that office, and a public defender was not listed as representing Vazquez at the time of the report.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Daryl Alexander Hill was fatally shot in Apopka after intervening in a roadside fight. |
| 2 | Raul Lionel Vazquez was charged with second-degree murder. |
| 3 | Investigators allege Vazquez retrieved a shotgun and fired as Hill fled. |
| 4 | Vazquez was out on a $5,000 surety bond in an earlier aggravated assault case. |
Summary
Authorities allege that a roadside dispute following a crash escalated into a physical fight and then a fatal shooting. Hill, who was riding a bicycle and intervened, was killed after reportedly running from the confrontation. Vazquez faces a second-degree murder charge while the investigation and court proceedings continue. His prior bond status is central to the case because he was already facing an aggravated assault charge involving an alleged firearm threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Apopka shooting?
Daryl Alexander Hill, 56, was killed after intervening in a roadside dispute, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and an arrest affidavit.
Who was charged in the case?
Raul Lionel Vazquez, 26, was charged with second-degree murder. The charge is an allegation that will be addressed in court.
Why was Vazquez out on bond?
Vazquez was released on a $5,000 surety bond in an earlier aggravated assault case involving an alleged threat with a gun. He had pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Where did the shooting happen?
The shooting occurred at an intersection in Apopka, a town northwest of Orlando in Orange County, Florida.
