Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1. Each segment includes a 2022 update.
Photos for Headline Surfer / ABOVE: K9s Ax (left), and Endo (right) are officially honored by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Nov. 17, 2021, at the Deputy Stephen Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, after line-of-duty gunshot injuries in apprehending a carjacking suspect on Sept. 11, 2021, in Deltona. LEFT: The K9s are shown with a close-up pic of the Purple Heart each received: BELOW: Jail mug pic of Shedrick Singleton Jr of Orlando, accused of shooting both k9s, in addition to armed robbery and armed carjacking.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Sheriff Mike Chitwood and the Georgia non-profit organization Irondog K9 International honored K-9s Endo and Ax back in November for their actions responding to an armed carjacking incident in Deltona in September. Endo and Ax were each shot while working to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Both K-9s received the Purple Heart from the Sheriff's Office and a Medal of Honor from Irondog K9. The Purple Heart is the retiring K-9 Endo's second since 2016 when he was shot in the neck while responding to a domestic disturbance call with his handler, Deputy Brett Whitson. K-9 Ax has been back on duty with his handler, Deputy AJ Davis.
In presenting their medals at a Nov. 17 ceremony at the Deputy Stephen Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach, Sheriff Chitwood recounted how one of the first messages he received following the carjacking incident was from Irondog K9, offering to cover the dogs' medical bills.
"It was this incredible, heartwarming email saying that whatever your organization needs, whatever Endo and Ax need, we got you," Sheriff Chitwood said. "We got medical bills, we got training – you tell us what you want."
"Our job is to support these law enforcement K-9s and their handlers, and we are so excited to be able to be here for them," Irondog K9's Mitzi Nash said.
The organization has contributed more than $25,000 to Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s and handlers since the September incident, including about $4,000 in medical bills, $4,200 in first aid kits, and more than $18,000 for a 3-day K-9 medic training class for every single VSO K-9 handler. The class is underway now.
Irondog K9 International is a 501c3 organization that supports K9 teams across the country by providing equipment like first aid and trauma kits, sponsoring training events like this week’s seminar, and paying for on-duty injury vet bills.
Synopsis of armed carjacking incident of Sept. 11, 2021:
Two Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s were recovering from gunshot wounds after an armed carjacking suspect hiding in the woods in Deltona opened fire on them in two shootings over the course of about two hours early this morning, the VCSO said in a press release, which follows:
The suspect, 21-year-old Shedrick Singleton Jr. (DOB 2/3/2000), was wounded by deputies who closed in and returned fire around 2:20 a.m. at the scene off of Lake Helen Osteen Road and Capri Circle, near Deltona Gardens Apartments and a Lowe’s store. K-9 Ax, who was shot in the side of his face in an initial shooting shortly after midnight, was rushed to a veterinarian by his handler, Deputy A.J. Davis. K-9 Endo, who was shot in the paw and the chin in the second shooting around 2:20 a.m., was rushed to another vet clinic by his handler, Deputy Brett Whitson. There were no other injuries in the incident. “
The carjacking was reported around 11:30 p.m. by a Lyft driver who said he picked up a passenger in Sanford and drove him to his requested location, a remote stretch of Reed Ellis Road in the Osteen area. The Lyft driver said the suspect held a gun to his head and forced him to get out of his white Kia Sedona minivan before stealing it. About 15 minutes later, the stranded victim, whose phone was also stolen in the carjacking, flagged down a passing vehicle for help.
Multimedia:
YouTube embedding / VCSO video / *Warning: Graphic* Armed carjacking suspect opens fire on Volusia K-9s on Sept. 11, 2021.
Update on Criminal case against carjacking suspect who allegedly shot k9s:
An investigation by the State Attorney’s Office into the shooting of 21-year-old Shedrick Singleton Jr. in the wake of an alleged armed carjecking was released on Jan. 19, 2022, and cleared deputies Kyle Cowger, Anthony Ray, Brian Luoma and Greg Ingram with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and DeLand police officer Anthony Bota.
Deputies with assistance from DeLand police responded to a carjacking on Sept. 11, 2021, in Volusia County after the victim, a Lyft driver, alerted law enforcement his car was stolen by a customer, identified as Singleton.
Deputies were able to locate the vehicle and tracked Singleton into the woods near Deltona Gardens Apartments and Lowe’s off Lake Helen Osteen Road. Singleton resisted arrest and shots were fired.
Chitwood said the first K-9, Ax, was shot in the side of his face while the first group of deputies arrived and were tracking Singleton. Singleton later came running out of the woods and another dog, Endo was released to apprehend him, according to the sheriff. Endo was shot twice, once in the jaw and once in the paw.
The law enforcement responders fired about 20 rounds, critically injuring Singleton.
Shedrick Singleton Jr. (DOB 2/3/2000), charged with armed carjacking, robbery with a firearm, and shooting police dogs, has remained behind bars since release from the hospital for his gunshot wounds. Singleton, who is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing before Circuit Judge Nichols on May 17 at the Volusia County Courthouse in Deland, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the felony charges.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.