A 24-year-old convenience store clerk in Florida was arrested this week after admitting to the murder of an off-duty police officer, according to law enforcement officials. The suspect, identified as Eduardo Machado, reportedly ambushed the officer from behind, shooting him multiple times. Machado, who was taken into custody on Monday, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 45-year-old Edgewater police officer David Jewell.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported that the fatal incident occurred around 4:08 p.m. at a Circle K gas station located on Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida, approximately 65 miles northeast of Orlando. Surveillance footage from the store showed Machado exiting the front door just as Jewell entered. He then retrieved his jacket from his car and reentered the store, where he shot Jewell multiple times in the head, resulting in his death at the scene.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood described the surveillance footage as “unbelievable,” noting that it was one of the most shocking incidents he had seen in his 38-year law enforcement career. According to Chitwood, Jewell was at the store with his father-in-law to buy a hot dog and was waiting at the register when Machado approached him from behind and opened fire. After Jewell fell to the floor, Machado’s gun jammed, but he managed to clear it and fired several more shots into Jewell’s head.
Initial reports suggested that Machado and Jewell were acquainted, a claim that Machado later confirmed during an interview with investigators. He confessed to the murder, stating that he had seen Jewell in the store on multiple occasions and believed they had argued at some point in the past. However, Machado was unable to provide any details about the alleged argument and did not indicate whether he knew Jewell was a police officer or if he had ever seen him in uniform. He did, however, admit to being “afraid” of Jewell, whom he had seen carrying a firearm.
Machado also told investigators that he was having a “bad day” prior to the shooting. He had thought about shooting Jewell earlier in the day and, upon seeing him at work, used a recently purchased handgun to shoot him multiple times at close range without uttering a word.
Despite having no criminal record, Machado had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder in the past, according to family interviews. His family described him as quiet and were unaware of any homicidal threats or anti-law enforcement ideologies he may have harbored. His only previous encounter with law enforcement was in 2023, when he was reported for shooting guns at Tomoka State Park.