ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – An active shooter was fatally shot by a law enforcement sniper on Thursday after engaging in a lengthy shootout with members of the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, officials confirmed. The man identified as 56-year-old Joseph DiFusco was accused of firing over 200 rounds in his condo complex before he was ultimately killed several hours into the standoff.
The tense situation unfolded in the Kingston Shores condominiums in Ormond-by-the-Sea when DiFusco began indiscriminately firing multiple rounds at vehicles and nearby condos. He even targeted a VSO vehicle approaching from inside his own condo, prompting the authorities to swiftly evacuate neighbors and redirect traffic to ensure safety.
Despite hours passing without any significant updates, the gunman’s relentless gunfire kept the community on edge until the afternoon when it was announced that DiFusco had been killed. Fortunately, no other individuals were harmed during the incident, a relief considering the intensity of the confrontation. Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood noted that DiFusco refused all attempts at negotiation.
Official reports later confirmed DiFusco’s identity as the shooter and disclosed that he had been taken down by a VSO sniper. Law enforcement revealed that DiFusco had fired over 200 rounds at condos within Kingston Shores and at responding VSO units. Disturbing photos shared by authorities displayed numerous bullet holes riddling the walls of the condo complex, indicating the gravity of the situation.
The motive behind DiFusco’s actions remains unclear, as authorities have yet to establish a potential target or reason for the shooting spree. Details regarding the type of firearm used by the shooter and the amount of ammunition in his possession have not been disclosed either. Despite conducting a search, no prior arrest records of DiFusco were found in the Volusia County Branch Jail database, leaving many questions unanswered.
Sheriff Chitwood mentioned that DiFusco was renting an Airbnb vacation property in Kingston Shores and may have brought weapons from out-of-state. Reports suggest that DiFusco, originally from Connecticut, might have neglected to take necessary medications, raising speculations about his state of mind during the incident.