Candlelight vigil honors 16-year-old killed outside Deltona house party
Just one day after an arrest was made in the deadly shooting of 16-year-old Xyrus Zelaya, his family and friends held a vigil in Deltona Friday to keep his name alive.
Zelaya was killed in a shooting outside a house party in Deltona on Oct. 30. A 17-year-old who was in the car with him was hit but has since recovered.
"When a murderer goes and shoots an innocent kid, injures another one and you get a $35,000 bond, it's just like saying, 'Hey I'll be out in two hours,'" Zelaya's father Dorian Zelaya said.
The family said it was a slap in the face when the suspect, 43-year-old Markland Roberts, posted bond. Roberts is charged with manslaughter and attempted manslaughter and is making a stand your ground claim.
"We're just hoping for the best and the best outcome of the system," Dorian Zelaya said. "If the system fails us, then we need to change the system."
Investigators said Zelaya and several friends were asked to leave the house party because they weren't invited. One of the friends allegedly exchanged words with the invited guests. The teenagers returned to the house after driving away in their car, according to Sheriff Mike Chitwood. One of the teens is accused of throwing a liquor bottle that shattered the window of a car that was parked outside the house party.
Seconds later, a neighbor's ring doorbell recorded the sound of a gunshot.
"If I see danger coming towards [me], a lot of kids coming around all I got to do is call 911 – that's what we have the law for," Dorian Zelaya said. "Not to take it upon your hands and think that you're God because you're not."
Family members have launched a petition to continue their calls for justice. They plan to hold more vigils in the future.