A road rage shooting in Deltona, Florida, last week has left one man dead, with the surviving driver claiming he acted in self-defense, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
The confrontation began when, the shooter alleges, a white Dodge Charger slowed down in front of him. After passing the Charger, the driver of the Charger began to follow him closely, flashing his high beams, then eventually sped up to cut him off, as reported by Fox 35 Orlando and WESH.
The dead man, identified by authorities as 37-year-old Kenyon Ashley of Deltona, reportedly exited his vehicle brandishing a firearm and began yelling. The other driver, who has not been named, told deputies he feared for his life and responded by firing several rounds at Ashley, striking and killing him. He was declared dead at the scene.
A witness supported the shooter’s account of the events, matching his description of the deadly encounter. The incident, which unfolded around 9:11 p.m., also startled local residents.
“I heard what I thought was someone knocking, but it turned out to be several gunshots,” said Rob Redgate to WESH. One of the bullets even struck Redgate’s car.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood reflected on the incident, emphasizing the trivial nature of the dispute and the tragic outcome.
“Thirty-seven-year-old lost his life over something so trivial,” Chitwood said. “Somebody cut somebody off, and somebody died because of that. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Following the shooting, the sheriff’s office consulted with the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Investigation Unit. While it appears the evidence does not support any criminal charges against the shooter, the case remains active. The State Attorney’s Office is set to make a final determination after a comprehensive review of all of the circumstances involved.
Sheriff Chitwood advised against taking matters into one’s own hands during road incidents, suggesting instead that those confronted with aggressive drivers should seek help from authorities. The community is left grappling with the implications of the event, underscoring the often deadly consequences of road rage.
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