An Osceola County judge on Thursday, June 18, 2026 ordered Herman Bradford III to stay behind bars while he awaits trial on a charge that he shot an Instacart delivery driver in the face. Prosecutors told the court the Jan. 10 attack outside a 24‑hour pharmacy was random and unprovoked, while Bradford’s defense team insisted the case rests on circumstantial evidence.
Prosecutors Lean On Cell Records And A Lone Fingerprint
Investigators testified that cellphone data put Bradford near the pharmacy around the time the driver was shot and that a fingerprint matching Bradford was lifted from the victim’s car, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Prosecutors argued that the digital trail, paired with the fingerprint, was enough to make Bradford’s release too risky, and urged the judge to keep him locked up.
Driver Ambushed While Napping Between Orders
Authorities said the Instacart driver was dozing in his vehicle between deliveries outside the all‑night pharmacy when someone walked up and shot him at close range. The victim spent nearly a month in the hospital, including roughly three weeks unconscious while doctors treated him for a brain bleed. He attended Thursday’s hearing but declined to speak with reporters.
Defense Blasts Case As Thin And Circumstantial
Bradford’s attorneys countered that there is no eyewitness identification, no ballistic match and no other direct physical evidence tying him to the shooting, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. They told the judge Bradford intends to plead not guilty.
Osceola County booking records show a June 9 entry for a man named Herman Bradford, consistent with prosecutors’ timeline for his arrest. The judge’s ruling means he will stay in custody while the case moves forward.
What Comes Next In The Case
Bradford is charged with attempted first‑degree murder and remains jailed as prosecutors continue to build their case. A future court date has not yet been set, and the detention order effectively gives both sides more time to prepare for arraignment or trial.
