Suspect arrested in violent attack on woman taking evening walk

Date Added: November 04, 2026 3:23 pm

VSO deputies arrested a 17-year-old on charges of kidnapping, attempted sexual battery, and resisting arrest Tuesday night after he attacked a woman on her evening walk in DeLand. 

The victim reported she was out exercising around 5:30 p.m. when she was attacked on Blue Lake Avenue near the intersection of Windy Knoll Lane. The suspect, later identified as Elijah McCarrell, lunged on top of the victim, punching her in the face and pulled down her shirt. The victim began screaming and defending herself, fighting off the attacker and chasing after him as he fled to an e-bike in a field.

The victim flagged down a passing car and asked them to call 911. The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect, who she had passed earlier on her walk.

VSO deputies established a perimeter with the assistance of K-9 units on the ground and a helicopter in the air. An alert went out to area residents. K-9 Beny first located the e-bike abandoned in the woods, then tracked down and apprehended Elijah shortly after.

Elijah was escorted out of the woods, treated at the hospital for his K-9 bite, and transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing. He had a scratch on the back of his neck consistent with a fingernail scratch from the victim. 

The victim had a laceration to her lip and abrasion on her shoulder, but declined medical attention. 

Elijah was later transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where he remains in secure custody on his felony charges.