Hotel Evacuated After Charter Bus Driver Peppers Hallway

DeLand, FL - A charter bus driver in DeLand was arrested for pepper-spraying a hotel hallway after a noise complaint from a room upstairs, causing the evacuation of over 100 guests and sending one person to the hospital.

Authorities say 59-year-old Daniel Young reportedly complained to staff at the Holiday Inn on Fenway Drive in DeLand regarding disruptive noise coming from a room upstairs.

When the noise persisted, Young allegedly took matters into his own hands.

Security footage captured him discharging pepper spray throughout the hallway near the offending room.

The effects were immediate, as over 100 guests were forced to evacuate the hotel due to respiratory issues caused by the pepper spray.

One person required medical attention at a local hospital.

Emergency crews swarmed the hotel, with over 15 fire and police vehicles responding to the incident.

DeLand Fire Department personnel located an orange chemical container near the elevators, which was identified as pepper spray.

Following a review of security footage, investigators identified Young, who was still on the property in his parked charter bus.

He reportedly admitted to using pepper spray in the hallway.

The discarded canister was later recovered by police.

Young was arrested on charges of criminal mischief exceeding $1,000 and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

He was released on his own recognizance after spending two days in jail.