A 46-year-old therapist from DeLand is being charged with first degree murder after he allegedly killed a homeless man who he accused of putting glass in a jar for his dogs.
Travis McBride was arrested by members of the DeLand Police Department on Thursday, January 18, in connection with the shooting death of Clinton Dorsey, who was shot to death the evening before McBride was arrested.
DeLand Police Department officers were called to the scene of a suspicious incident at 115 S. Frankfort Avenue at around 7:06 a.m. on Thursday. The calls that were received by police reported that an individual had been seen “cleaning up blood because he killed someone.”
Upon arrival, police made contact with McBride and another individual who were sitting inside a screened patio area of a residence. When police asked McBride about a series of scratches and marks on his body, he told them that he had obtained them from his dog.
During a separate interview, a witness told police that McBride had showed up to her house on January 17 looking for Dorsey because he had allegedly “put glass in a jar for his dogs.” The witness told police that McBride stated he was going to “kill” Dorsey.
The witness said she called police on Thursday morning after McBride allegedly made threats towards her and told her not to call the police.
During their investigation, authorities determined that Dorsey was homeless and had been living in nearby woods.
Based on multiple witness statements, officers were told that Dorsey and McBride were standing across from each other when McBride allegedly fired “eight to nine shots” at him. After Dorsey was shot, and while he was laying on the ground, McBride allegedly walked over to his body and shot him several more times.
McBride was then seen by witnesses dragging Dorsey’s lifeless body across the road.
The shots that were fired were reportedly heard after 10 p.m. on January 17, according to witnesses.
As their investigation continued, police were contacted by another homeless individual who reported that they saw McBride carrying a blood-soaked towel and clothing to the car wash before attempting to put the items inside a padlocked dumpster.
Although no items of evidential value were found inside the dumpster, police found an unfired 9mm round next to it matched those casings found at the scene. At the same time, authorities observed a red vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the business at 620 E New York Avenue.
That business, Starting Point Mental Health, LLC, is owned and operated by McBride.
While officers were inspecting the vehicle, a 2016 Nissan Versa that was registered to McBride, they observed what appeared to be a body in the back of the vehicle, which is a hatchback style passenger car.
Police opened the unlocked rear hatch trunk door and found Dorsey’s body.
In a garbage can on the property, police found multiple 9mm shell casings as well.
McBride was taken into custody and requested an attorney after being read his Miranda Rights. He is currently being held at the Volusia County Jail on no bond.