Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Loveking Kitching (22, Deland) has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Kitching faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is set for December 11, 2024.

According to court records, on May 13, 2023, Kitching was involved in a shooting while riding as a passenger in car near a gas station in Deland. Within minutes of the shooting, gas station security camera footage captured Kitching exiting the car and walking into the gas station's convenience store while holding a loaded 9mm pistol. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and recovered the pistol and other evidence, which indicated that Kitching had exchanged gunfire with someone outside the car. During the shooting, Kitching was shot in the mouth and hand. Shell casings found inside the vehicle where Kitching had been seated indicated that he had also fired the 9mm pistol from inside vehicle.

On December 12, 2023, law enforcement officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle Kitching was driving. Kitching failed to stop and instead led police on a car chase into an industrial park that ended when Kitching reached a dead end. On the ground along the path of the chase, officers located Kitching's cellphone and a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Kitching's DNA and fingerprints were found on the pistol.

Kitching had previously been convicted in 2022 of multiple felonies and therefore is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Deland Police Department, and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.