Fistfight between men over estranged wife turns into Flagler County road rage shooting
By: The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is investigating a road rage shooting they say started as a fistfight.
According to FCSO, deputies responded to a call just after 9 a.m. on Sunday where two males were physically fighting in the parking lot of a Dollar General on Matanzas Woods Parkway in Palm Coast.
Before deputies arrived, both men left the area in their vehicles. A few minutes later, one of the drivers called 911 and said the other driver shot at his vehicle five times with a revolver. According to the man, two of those bullets struck his vehicle.
The alleged shooter was identified as 46-year-old Victor Smith.
Deputies located both vehicles on U.S. 1 heading northbound and conducted a high-risk traffic stop.
Smith was arrested for battery, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting or throwing a missile into an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm during a felony, FCSO said.
Smith recently posted a bond of $96,000 according to FCSO.
After an investigation, officials determined the original fight occurred because the victim was currently living with and dating Smith's estranged wife. According to officials, the two had separated approximately five months ago.
"This is a perfect example of how personal disputes can turn violent," said Sheriff Rick Staly. "While both parties should have walked away, one of them made the poor choice to resolve the dispute with a firearm. That decision landed him a room at the Green Roof Inn."