Crime
Deltona Woman Fatally Shot by Ex-Husband, Suspect Dies After Fleeing and Crashing in Flagler County
DELTONA, FL – A domestic violence incident turned deadly early Monday when a Deltona woman was fatally shot by her ex-husband, who later took his own life after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Flagler County.
The victim, identified as 38-year-old Ashley Vaia, was found deceased inside her home at approximately 2:22 a.m. by her child.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as her ex-husband, 33-year-old Samuel Vaia, who fled the scene in a white SUV.
Using vehicle detection technology, law enforcement tracked Vaia’s SUV traveling northbound on I-95 at speeds exceeding 100 mph as he attempted to evade capture.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, successfully deploying stop sticks to disable the vehicle.
Vaia ultimately lost control and crashed near Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast at approximately 3:21 a.m.
Given that Vaia was considered armed and dangerous, and was reportedly wearing body armor, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VSO) deputies utilized drone surveillance while Flagler County SWAT officers cautiously approached the wrecked vehicle.
At approximately 5:15 a.m., SWAT extricated the suspect, who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Vaia was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Just one week before the fatal shooting, Samuel Vaia had been arrested on domestic violence battery charges involving the same victim.
According to deputies, on Sunday, March 23, at approximately 1:48 a.m., Ashley Vaia reported that her ex-husband entered her bedroom, took her phone, and accused her of infidelity.
The couple had been attempting to reconcile, and Vaia still had a key to her home due to a time-sharing arrangement involving their child.
During the altercation, Ashley stated that Vaia forcefully pushed her into a bathroom, covered her mouth, and prevented her from calling 911.
She was only able to break free when she called for her daughter, at which point Vaia fled.
Vaia was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on a battery (domestic violence) charge. He was released on a $2,000 bond the following evening.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed condolences to the victim’s family and commended the coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Highway Patrol.
“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” said Sheriff Chitwood. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly echoed the sentiments, stating, “I am thankful for the swift actions of our deputies in helping to prevent any further loss of life. This is a deeply tragic incident for all involved, and we send our condolences to the victim’s family during this extremely difficult time.”
For individuals experiencing domestic violence in Volusia County, free and confidential services are available through the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County at 386-257-2297 or www.dacvolusia.com.
Additionally, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-SAFE (7233), via text by sending START to 88788, or through live chat at www.thehotline.org.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.