DeLand bar shooting: Florida man who fired gun over $5 beer denied bond, officials say | FOX 51 Gainesville
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DeLand bar shooting: Florida man who fired gun over $5 beer denied bond, officials say

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Published  May 26, 2025 10:14am EDT
Volusia County
FOX 35 Orlando
Florida an accused of shooting over $5 beer denied bond

Florida an accused of shooting over $5 beer denied bond

A Volusia County man was denied bond Monday after being accused of opening fire outside a DeLand bar during an argument over a $5 beer. Calvin Gilbert, 55, of DeLand, appeared in court following his arrest in connection with the early Saturday morning incident outside McCabe’s Bar.

The Brief

    • A man is accused of shooting at someone outside a DeLand bar over a $5 beer.
    • No one was injured, but the bullet hit a nearby building.
    • The suspect, denied bond, faces attempted murder charges.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man was denied bond after allegedly shooting someone outside a Volusia County bar over a $5 drink over the weekend during his court appearance on Monday morning. 

Shooting followed argument over $5 beer, police say

What we don't know:

Calvin Gilbert, a Volusia County man, was denied bond on Monday after being accused of firing a gun during a dispute outside McCabe’s Bar in DeLand early Saturday. 

According to police, the altercation stemmed from an argument over a $5 beer. Gilbert allegedly fired a shot that missed the intended target and hit a nearby building. No injuries were reported. 

He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released the arrest affidavit or additional details about what led to the escalation. It’s also unclear if surveillance footage or witness statements were part of the evidence considered by the court. 

The backstory:

According to the DeLand Police Department, the incident began early Saturday morning at McCabe’s Bar, where Gilbert had been drinking with the victim, a man he had just met.

Witnesses said Gilbert bought the victim a beer and later demanded repayment as the bar was closing.

Things escalated in the parking lot when Gilbert reportedly pulled out a handgun and fired a shot from just a few feet away. The victim ducked and was not hit, but the bullet hit a cooler and went through the wall of a nearby building. Gilbert was taken into custody hours later.

Local perspective:

This is the second time that McCabe’s Bar has been in the news for a shooting in the last few weeks. Earlier this month, 24-year-old Avantae Williams was accused of shooting and killing another man and seriously injuring a bartender. 

What they're saying:

Friends of Gilbert said he is known to defuse situations over drinks, so they are shocked he is accused of something like this. 

"He tends to make friends this way rather than make enemies, and it's surprising that… it turned out the way it did," said Jonathan Batewell. "There's no real reason to bring a weapon to a bar."

What's next:

Gilbert is being held at the Volusia County Jail without bond. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared during Calvin Gilbert's first appearance in Volusia County on May 26, 2025. Additional details about the case were provided by the DeLand Police Department.

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