Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL — A tense standoff at a Florida condo complex ended tragically when a sheriff’s sniper fatally shot a Connecticut man who authorities say unleashed a barrage of over 200 bullets into the surrounding homes and at law enforcement officers. The incident, which escalated over several hours early Thursday morning, saw no additional injuries despite the extensive gunfire.
The man, identified as 56-year-old Joseph DiFusco, had been staying at a short-term rental property in the Kingston Shores condominiums. Local authorities highlighted that DiFusco was a seasonal resident, colloquially known as a snowbird, and speculated he might have brought the firearms from another state.
The confrontation initiated around 4 a.m. when law enforcement responded to a distress call from DiFusco who reported feeling suicidal but refused medical help. Upon returning two hours later after reports of gunfire, officers found themselves under heavy fire as DiFusco began shooting into neighboring units.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood of Volusia County described the scene, recounting how bullets flew over officers’ heads even though they were positioned some 100 yards away from DiFusco’s location. According to Chitwood, attempts to negotiate were met with more gunfire, and DiFusco had turned off his phone, cutting off any lines of communication.
Authorities noted that this was not their first visit to DiFusco’s residence. In fact, deputies had been called to the location three times previously. The intense shooting episode prompted an evacuation of nearby residents, underscoring the danger posed as the standoff stretched beyond five hours.
DiFusco had barricaded himself inside his unit, heavily armed with at least three guns. Prior to the shooting, family members had expressed concerns about his well-being, indicating that they feared for their safety so much that they had resorted to sleeping in their car.
During the ordeal, Chitwood said DiFusco had stopped taking necessary medication and had been deprived of sleep for several days leading up to the incident. Eventually, the sniper’s intervention brought the lengthy and dangerous situation to a close.
Following the incident, images released by the sheriff’s office showed the external damage with numerous bullet holes marking the condo’s walls, a stark testament to the scale of the gunfire.
The community, though shaken, did not suffer any additional physical injuries, a point noted by authorities as they continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to and during the standoff. The volatile situation sheds light on the broader issues related to mental health and the accessibility of firearms, sparking discussions on how similar scenarios might be prevented in the future.