In a significant development from Bunnell, a 23-year-old local man finds himself behind bars at the Putnam County Jail, following the grievous shooting incident last week that left another man critically wounded, including the loss of a kidney.
Antarius Zynell “Duke” Henderson, aged 23, faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Authorities identified him with assistance from newly installed pole cameras in South Bunnell, a neighborhood previously shaken by two drive-by shooting homicides in 2022.
Henderson’s arrest took place outside a motel in East Palatka, leading to his booking into the Putnam County Jail at 7:23 p.m. on Friday. He was held without bond as of Saturday morning.
The investigation unfolded with the aid of video footage from cameras mounted on a pole on East Drain Street, shedding light on the events of March 16, around 10:30 p.m.
A confrontation at the intersection of East Drain and Hymon Circle escalated when Henderson and Ay’Nyis “Na Na” Johnson, 19, exchanged blows. Johnson gained the upper hand, prompting Henderson to retrieve a handgun from a silver Mercedes and open fire, according to Bunnell police.
The victim, who had been observing the altercation, attempted to flee upon the outbreak of gunfire. He sustained injuries on the left side of his chest and above the right hip, eventually seeking help at a nearby residence, where a home security camera captured his plea for assistance.
Following the incident, the victim was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center, undergoing multiple surgeries, including the removal of one of his kidneys.
The police’s review of the pole camera footage revealed that some of Henderson’s shots landed 15-20 feet in front of Johnson. The situation further escalated as Rya Sir “Rock” Jefferson and Johnson, fleeing north on South Anderson Street, retaliated by firing shots back at Henderson, who miraculously remained unharmed.
Bunnell police have since recovered 31 spent shell casings from the scene, indicating the severity of the shootout. The investigation is ongoing, with additional charges anticipated.
Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon highlighted the crucial role of the camera network, installed at a cost of $300,000, in addressing violent crimes within the community. The reluctance of witnesses to cooperate, often due to fear of retaliation, necessitated this technological intervention.
Detective Sergeant Shane Groth of the Bunnell police underscored the difference made by this investment in cameras in solving the case. The police also utilized automatic license plate readers, mounted on the same poles as the cameras, to identify the Mercedes involved, which was later found in Palm Coast.
Previously, Henderson had faced charges for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence following a March 2 brawl involving around 40 individuals, just blocks away from the March 16 shooting site. Witnesses interviewed by Bunnell police linked the shooting to the earlier melee, underscoring a pattern of violence that the community is eager to address.