Apopka teen faces murder charge after festival shooting victim dies

A 17-year-old suspect in a shooting near the Apopka Fall Family Festival now faces a first-degree murder charge. The Apopka Police Department upgraded the charges against Jeremiah Daniels after the victim, Nasir Hercule, died from his injuries. Hercule, 21, was shot multiple times on Friday, Nov. 6, near the intersection of Goodrich Avenue and East Orange Street. That location is just outside the festival grounds at Kit Land Nelson Park.

Police said the incident began with an argument inside the festival. The dispute escalated into gunfire as people were leaving the event. Officers assigned to security at the park responded immediately. They detained two individuals and recovered the firearm used in the shooting. Police found Hercule with multiple gunshot wounds and provided lifesaving aid before transporting him to a hospital in critical condition. He died days later, according to a police announcement on Monday.

Daniels was initially charged with attempted first-degree homicide on Saturday. Following Hercule's death, prosecutors added charges for first-degree murder with a firearm, tampering with evidence, juvenile possession of a firearm, and resisting an officer without violence. A second juvenile was also arrested during the police response. That individual was charged with misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence but has not been publicly identified. The investigation remains ongoing.

People who knew Hercule are remembering him for his kindness rather than the circumstances of his death. A neighbor described Hercule as having a "pure heart." The neighbor recalled a night when Hercule helped jump-start a car for another resident around 2 a.m. It was a simple act, but it showed his willingness to help others even in the middle of the night. The neighbor questioned how a shooting could happen at an event meant to bring families together.

Local residents are also questioning safety measures at public gatherings. Megan Garrett visited Kit Land Nelson Park with her children on Monday. She did not attend the festival on Friday but learned about the death later. Garrett said the shooting changes how she views family events. "I live close by," Garrett said. "I don't want my kids to ever be in a situation" where they could be harmed. She suggested organizers consider adding metal detectors to identify potential threats.

Garrett said she would think twice before attending similar events in the future. "I would've thought twice about it," she said. "I probably wouldn't have went next time if that was the case, 'cause you never know what could happen or when you could be put in a situation that those things can happen, and you have to put your kids first." The police department extended its condolences to Hercule's family in its Monday update.

Police have not released a detailed explanation of what sparked the original argument. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.