Fistfight between men over estranged wife turns into Flagler County road rage shooting

By Web Staff

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    PALM COAST, Florida (WESH) — 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.

One woman told a dispatcher in a 911 call obtained by WESH 2, “They’re on the ground fighting so you better get here fast…they both came in cars. You better send them right now because someone is going to get killed I’m telling you. Really, hurry up.”

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.

On the 911 call, the man can be heard saying “Oh! He just shot at my car. He’s shooting.”

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.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s office released a body-worn camera video to WESH 2 News showing deputies pulling Smith over. A man he was fighting with and who claims Smith fired shots at him was also pulled over and questioned, but only Smith was taken into custody.

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,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “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.”

According to court records, Smith has no criminal history. He could face prison time in this case of public fighting and road rage.

Even though the victim admitted to pursuing Smith after he saw him taking pictures at his estranged wife’s home, deputies did not charge him and are not releasing his name.

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