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.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.