Topline: DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March
Published: April 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Samuel Vaia (via Volusia County Sheriff’s Office)
DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March 31.
She was discovered by her teenage daughter around 2:22 a.m.
After the shooting, Samuel Vaia fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that ended in Flagler County. His vehicle was detected traveling at speeds over 100 MPH on I-95. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, employing stop sticks and aerial support.
The suspect’s vehicle crashed and rolled over around 3:21 a.m. at Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast.
Given that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous, law enforcement used drones to monitor the situation while Flagler SWAT prepared to approach the wrecked vehicle.
Samuel Vaia was extracted from the scene around 5:15 a.m. and transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital for treatment of injuries, including an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Prior to the shooting, police say Samuel Vaia had been arrested on domestic battery charges against Ashley Vaia just days earlier.
On March 23, deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance where Ashley reported that Samuel had entered her bedroom, and accused her of cheating. She said she tried to yell at her phone to call 911 but was unsuccessful, and Samuel covered her mouth. He left abruptly after Ashley called for another daughter who was in the house.
Ashley told police they were attempting to reconcile, and Samuel still had a key to her home due to shared custody arrangements involving their child.
In response to the incident, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood extended condolences to Ashley’s family and emphasized the dangers of domestic violence.
“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Chitwood said later during a press conference that the court ordered Samuel Vaia to turn over all of his firearms after the domestic incident on March 23.
Chitwood said Samuel turned over three firearms, but “clearly not all of them.”
He stated that Samuel was “hell-bent on killing [Ashley],” and that the protection order was “a piece of paper” and it was “never going to keep any woman safe.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Woman Shot, Killed by Estranged Husband Days After Court Ordered Him to Turn Over Firearms Due to Domestic Violence Incident
DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
Samuel Vaia (via Volusia County Sheriff’s Office)
DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March 31.
She was discovered by her teenage daughter around 2:22 a.m.
After the shooting, Samuel Vaia fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that ended in Flagler County. His vehicle was detected traveling at speeds over 100 MPH on I-95. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, employing stop sticks and aerial support.
The suspect’s vehicle crashed and rolled over around 3:21 a.m. at Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast.
Given that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous, law enforcement used drones to monitor the situation while Flagler SWAT prepared to approach the wrecked vehicle.
Samuel Vaia was extracted from the scene around 5:15 a.m. and transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital for treatment of injuries, including an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Prior to the shooting, police say Samuel Vaia had been arrested on domestic battery charges against Ashley Vaia just days earlier.
On March 23, deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance where Ashley reported that Samuel had entered her bedroom, and accused her of cheating. She said she tried to yell at her phone to call 911 but was unsuccessful, and Samuel covered her mouth. He left abruptly after Ashley called for another daughter who was in the house.
Ashley told police they were attempting to reconcile, and Samuel still had a key to her home due to shared custody arrangements involving their child.
In response to the incident, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood extended condolences to Ashley’s family and emphasized the dangers of domestic violence.
“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Chitwood said later during a press conference that the court ordered Samuel Vaia to turn over all of his firearms after the domestic incident on March 23.
Chitwood said Samuel turned over three firearms, but “clearly not all of them.”
He stated that Samuel was “hell-bent on killing [Ashley],” and that the protection order was “a piece of paper” and it was “never going to keep any woman safe.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Shot, Killed by Estranged Husband Days After Court Ordered Him to Turn Over Firearms Due to Domestic Violence Incident
DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
Samuel Vaia (via Volusia County Sheriff’s Office)
DELTONA, FL – A Florida woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband a week after a court ordered him to turn over all of his guns due to a domestic violence incident.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was fatally shot by her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, in her home in Deltona, Florida, on Monday, March 31.
She was discovered by her teenage daughter around 2:22 a.m.
After the shooting, Samuel Vaia fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that ended in Flagler County. His vehicle was detected traveling at speeds over 100 MPH on I-95. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, employing stop sticks and aerial support.
The suspect’s vehicle crashed and rolled over around 3:21 a.m. at Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast.
Given that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous, law enforcement used drones to monitor the situation while Flagler SWAT prepared to approach the wrecked vehicle.
Samuel Vaia was extracted from the scene around 5:15 a.m. and transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital for treatment of injuries, including an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Prior to the shooting, police say Samuel Vaia had been arrested on domestic battery charges against Ashley Vaia just days earlier.
On March 23, deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance where Ashley reported that Samuel had entered her bedroom, and accused her of cheating. She said she tried to yell at her phone to call 911 but was unsuccessful, and Samuel covered her mouth. He left abruptly after Ashley called for another daughter who was in the house.
Ashley told police they were attempting to reconcile, and Samuel still had a key to her home due to shared custody arrangements involving their child.
In response to the incident, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood extended condolences to Ashley’s family and emphasized the dangers of domestic violence.
“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Chitwood said later during a press conference that the court ordered Samuel Vaia to turn over all of his firearms after the domestic incident on March 23.
Chitwood said Samuel turned over three firearms, but “clearly not all of them.”
He stated that Samuel was “hell-bent on killing [Ashley],” and that the protection order was “a piece of paper” and it was “never going to keep any woman safe.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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