Dad turns in son after learning he’s wanted in fatal shooting, Florida cops say

The search for a homicide suspect came to an unexpectedly quick end when he was delivered to a police station by his father, according to Florida investigators.

The killing happened around 7 p.m. Friday, June 27, in a residential neighborhood, according to a Leesburg Police Department news release.

“Police officers responded to the 1000 block of Tuskegee Street in reference to a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers and EMS personnel rendered aid to a 20-year-old male victim, who was ... pronounced deceased at the hospital,” Leesburg police said in the release.

“Investigators responded to the scene to begin processing evidence. ... While (they were) on scene, the father of the suspect brought his son ... to the Leesburg Police Department, where he turned himself in.”

The 18-year-old suspect is accused of fatally shooting Dontae D. Copeland, 20, of Leesburg, officials said.

Details of a motive have not been released.

The suspect has not been formally charged as of June 30, so McClatchy News is not using his identity. The family lives in Mount Dora, about a 15-mile drive east from Leesburg.

“Detectives conducted an interview with (the suspect) and subsequently placed him under arrest. Detectives are currently working with the State Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate charges,” officials said.

Leesburg is about a 45-mile drive northwest from Orlando.

This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Dad turns in son after learning he’s wanted in fatal shooting, Florida cops say."