Florida Teen Arrested in Deaths of Citadel Cadet and Childhood Friend; Sheriff Criticizes Prosecution Record

A 17-year-old arrested in connection with the July 29 shooting deaths of Dustin Rose, 19, a Citadel Military College cadet, and Samson Campbell, 18, had compiled an extensive criminal record since 2021 with minimal consequences, according to law enforcement officials in Florida. The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended the suspect on Wednesday, one day after authorities obtained an arrest warrant. Police discovered the two victims dead in DeLand around 10:40 p.m.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood detailed the teenager’s rap sheet, which includes charges spanning aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, concealed weapon carrying, multiple battery counts, criminal mischief, vehicle theft, trespassing, drug possession, resisting arrest, and other offenses. Chitwood stated that charges were repeatedly dropped, non-filed, dismissed, or resolved with probation, and noted the suspect had been enrolled in a diversion program for drug possession and school disturbance prior to the alleged killings.

Sheriff Chitwood attributed the minimal accountability to inadequate prosecution efforts by State Attorney Monique Worrell of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the criticism, declaring that Worrell’s “neglect of duty and incompetence are a danger” to the circuit and asserting that lenient crime policies are ineffective.

Worrell responded through a statement, dismissing the criticism as politically motivated and noting that the most recent juvenile case referenced by Chitwood fell under the Seventh Judicial Circuit’s jurisdiction, outside her office’s purview. State Attorney R.J. Larizza of the Seventh Judicial Circuit indicated he would likely seek charges against the suspect as an adult on two counts of second-degree murder.

Rose, a Citadel team leader and South Carolina National Guard member, was home on break when he was killed. The Citadel President Gen. Frank McKenzie described him as a “valued friend and classmate.” Campbell, a DeLand native, had recently arrived to help scatter the ashes of his family’s deceased dog with Rose’s family.

The suspect’s father was also arrested on charges of felony accessory after the fact. Rose’s mother, Rachel, expressed profound grief, telling media outlets that her son “was such a light in our family” and that his death has left them devastated.