ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Multiple communities are still reeling after off-duty Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell was shot and killed at a Circle K in Ormond-By-The-Sea.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirms that 24-year-old suspect Eduardo Machado is in custody and admitted to the shooting, but the motive is still being investigated.
David and Teressa Pender say they go to that Ormond-By-The-Sea Circle K on Ocean Shore Boulevard and Wisteria Drive everyday and know everybody on staff, including Machado, and are still shocked that this even happened.
David Pender says he bought a pack of cigarettes from one of the store clerks less than ten minutes before David Jewell was tragically shot 24 times.
“I had just pulled out to get to the house and as soon as I got out of my truck, I heard pop, pop, pop, pop! And then I heard pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” exclaimed David Pender.
His wife Teressa said she thought he just heard construction noise nearby until the store was surrounded by law enforcement within five minutes and a search ensued.
The two said they couldn’t believe the news when they learned the suspect was Eduardo Machado, as he was someone that they grew to adore when they visited the store.
“We’ve known him for two and a half years. He’s the quietest, doesn’t really talk, great guy and you know everybody in the condos, people were friends with him,” Teressa Pender said. “Everybody knew him. You would just never have expected this. Especially when we hear how devastating it was.”
The Penders also gave their condolences to the Jewell family and even brought flowers to the scene.
Meanwhile, in Edgewater, a memorial with Jewell’s vehicle and picture has been started in front of the police station with local businesses like the family-owned Frosty King, who paid tribute with a sign for Jewell.
“United we stand tall and divided we fall. So, we just want to let everyone know on that big sign and let the community and everybody know that we feel really sorry about what happened and we only get through this by being there for each other,” Frosty King employee Victoria Ice said.
Flowers surround an Edgewater Police cruiser on Sept. 16, 2025, after an off-duty officer was shot and killed this week. (Spectrum News/Nick Allen)
It’s an incident that has changed many lives and for the Penders, even changed how they go about their days.
“Oh, brother I’m going to have a hard time walking through those doors. I’m not going to lie to you because I know the managers and the staff, and it just becomes a little community of the same people,” David Pender said. “You know, and then when something like that happens, it just kind of rips your heart a part.”
The Edgewater Police Department confirms that a vigil for Officer Jewell will be announced in the coming days.
Edgewater businesses, however, have partnered up and shared on Facebook that a Memorial Ride is expected to happen Friday Sept. 19 at 7:30 at Goodfellas Beer and Wine in Edgewater.
Brandon Spencer
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