Man Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting After Firing 200 Rounds at Condominium Complex in Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach, FL – A prolonged standoff between law enforcement and a man accused of firing at police officers and residences on Thanksgiving Day ended in a fatal officer-involved shooting.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a suicidal individual around 4:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
However, the man, identified as Joseph Dififusco, refused to accompany them to the hospital.
Several hours later, authorities received reports of gunfire directed at a condominium complex, with Difusco firing approximately 200 rounds. The sheriff’s office deployed a SWAT team, and after hours of negotiation attempts, a SWAT sniper fatally shot Difusco.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood stated that Difusco’s family had attempted to obtain an ex parte order against him the previous day due to their fear.
Chitwood praised the bravery and restraint of his deputies, saying his primary goal was to ensure everyone’s safety.