EDGEWATER, FL — A late-night confrontation left a juvenile wounded and sent two teenagers to jail after police quickly tracked down the suspects following a shooting Tuesday night. Riley Kotnik, 17, and Tyler Finan, 18, were apprehended within minutes of the incident near 26th Street and India Palm Drive.
Kotnik faces a primary charge of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, while Finan has been charged as an accessory.
The Shooting and Rapid Apprehension
Edgewater Police officers rushed to the intersection just after 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, following emergency calls regarding a person shot. Arriving units found a juvenile victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper left leg.
The victim told investigators that Kotnik and Finan had confronted them near the intersection. During the dispute, Kotnik allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds, striking the victim once before both suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.
Patrol officers flooded the area and located the getaway vehicle at Finan’s residence just minutes later. Both teenagers were located and detained in the backyard of the home without further incident.
Weapons Recovery and Charges
EPD detectives secured search warrants for both the vehicle and the home. During the search of the residence, investigators discovered the pistol used in the shooting hidden inside Finan’s bedroom.
The suspects face the following charges:
- Riley Kotnik (17): Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, and Possession of a Firearm by a Minor. He was processed and transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center.
- Tyler Finan (18): Accessory to Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail.
The juvenile victim was transported to a local hospital and is currently recovering from the leg injury.
Ongoing Investigation
The Edgewater Police Department noted that the investigation remains fluid and active as forensics teams process the recovered firearm. Anyone with information regarding the initial dispute or the suspects is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Stephen Matthews at (386) 895-1809 or via email at smatthews@cityofedgewater.org.