Update: Suspect Charged With 2nd Degree Murder: Detectives Investigating Death Following Altercation At Gentlemen's Club

Date Added: February 01, 2021 10:15 am

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

*CASE UPDATE* (2/3/21)

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL ALTERCATION OUTSIDE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB

Volusia sheriff’s detectives have arrested a suspect on a charge of 2nd-degree murder in a fatal altercation with a DeLeon Springs man Saturday night outside a night club north of DeLand.

Jesus Torres, 43, (DOB 06/17/1977), of Crescent City, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Flagler County after detectives spent three days working to track him down.

The victim, 44-year-old Vicente Alejo Verdel, was pronounced dead at the scene at Dixie’s Gentlemen’s Club (3705 N. U.S. 17) shortly after deputies arrived just after 8 p.m. Saturday.

Witnesses told detectives an altercation started inside the club, and then moved outside. Surveillance video showed Torres knocking Alejo Verdel’s friend to the ground and punching him several times. Later, after another exchange of words, Torres turned his attention to Alejo Verdel, punching him several times, incapacitating him. Alejo Verdel fell to the ground, motionless, as Torres continued to punch him several more times. 

The preliminary results of an autopsy indicated Alejo Verdel’s death was the result of blunt force trauma and his death was ruled as a homicide. 

Detectives identified Torres through one of his associates that was also seen with him on video surveillance. A warrant for second-degree murder was issued on Sunday. Efforts to locate Torres had been ongoing, and he was subsequently arrested in Flagler County, with the assistance of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, without incident. 

Torres was transported to the Flagler County jail, where he will be held without bond.

Note to news media: Video surveillance footage is not available for release. A redacted charging affidavit is available on request.

*END UPDATE*

DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING DEATH FOLLOWING ALTERCATION AT GENTLEMEN’S CLUB

Volusia sheriff's detectives are investigating the death of a man who was involved in a physical altercation at a gentlemen's club Saturday night.

Deputies responded to the scene at Dixie's Gentlemen's Club, 3705 N. U.S. 17, north of DeLand, shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday after a report of a fight. The victim, a man who was a customer in the club, was discovered unresponsive in the parking lot and later pronounced deceased.

Details of the investigation are not being released at this point while detectives continue to actively pursue leads. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.