The DeLand Police Department have arrested 24-year-old Avantae Williams in connection to the fatal shooting at McCabe’s Bar on Saturday, the agency has announced. The shooting left one victim, 32-year-old Keshod Harris, dead with a bartender also sustaining gunshot wounds to both hands.
Avantae Williams is well-known to college football fans for his career playing for the University of Miami and the University of Maryland. From 2021 to 2023 Williams established as top safety in the country, being ranked 45th in America out of high school.
According to jail records, Williams is a resident of DeLand. He’s presently being charged only with second degree murder, and is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond. He has one other booking record on-file, from February 2024 when he was processed on four felony warrants in another county. Also on record is a 2021 arrest by Williams for assaulting a pregnant woman, which led to his suspension by Miami.
The investigation into this past weekend’s shooting at McCabe’s remains ongoing, but the DPD said that enough evidence was gathered to obtain an arrest warrant for Williams from the State Attorney’s Office. Around 40 people were present at the time of the shooting.
Harris was reportedly shot multiple times in his chest, and later died after being rushed to the hospital. The bartender was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
TR
May 9, 2025 at 7:50 am
Glad the caught this guy. Guess he should have paid better attention in school. Apparently he had a nice looking future when he played football but not no more. Stupid is as stupid does.