Xyrus Zelaya was 16 and a Deltona High School student when he was killed on October 31, 2021, after a shooting at a Halloween party in Deltona, Florida. The party had been advertised on Instagram. Zelaya and friends were denied entry because they were not on the guest list; after waiting outside they decided to leave. As their vehicle left, another teen reportedly threw a bottle toward the house. Markland Roberts, 43, who had been attending the party, retrieved a firearm from his car and fired at the vehicle. A bullet struck Zelaya in the back seat and killed him; another teenager in the car was wounded and survived.

Roberts was charged with manslaughter with a firearm in Zelaya’s death and attempted manslaughter with a firearm for the injured teen, with potential prison terms cited in the charging documents. At trial the prosecution said Roberts acted recklessly by firing into the car; the defense argued he acted in self-defense under Florida’s stand your ground law. A jury found Roberts not guilty of both counts. Zelaya’s family and friends expressed disappointment and had circulated a petition seeking justice.

Did anyone at the party see what happened just before the shooting who hasn’t spoken publicly?