Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Loveking Kitching, a 22-year-old from DeLand, to three years and five months in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition. Kitching had entered a guilty plea on August 21, 2024.

Court documents reveal that on May 13, 2023, Kitching was involved in a shooting incident while riding as a passenger in a car near a gas station in DeLand. Security camera footage captured him exiting the vehicle with a loaded 9mm pistol shortly after the shooting. Law enforcement recovered the weapon and other evidence indicating an exchange of gunfire with another individual outside the car. During this incident, Kitching sustained gunshot wounds to his mouth and hand. Shell casings inside the vehicle suggested he fired from within.

On December 12, 2023, law enforcement attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Kitching. He led officers on a chase into an industrial park before reaching a dead end. Along the chase route, officers found his cellphone and a loaded .40 caliber pistol bearing his DNA and fingerprints.

Kitching's prior felony convictions in 2022 prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, DeLand Police Department, and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.