Detectives Investigating Woman's Fatal Shooting Of Boyfriend; Self-Defense Claimed

Date Added: December 25, 2020 2:23 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING WOMAN’S FATAL SHOOTING OF BOYFRIEND; SELF-DEFENSE CLAIMED

Volusia sheriff’s detectives are investigating after a Daytona Beach woman reported she shot and killed her live-in boyfriend when he raised a tomahawk over her as she was lying in bed late Christmas Eve.

Deputies responded to the incident around 11:45 p.m. at 1160 San Jose Blvd., Daytona Beach. Jill Fritch, 59, reported she grabbed a gun that was next to the bed and shot 60-year-old Troy Sorrell (DOB 12/23/1960) in self-defense, in fear he was about to strike her with the tomahawk as he held it over his head.

Fritch is not being charged with any crime at this time while the investigation continues.

At the scene, detectives recovered the gun, a shell casing and a tomahawk with an approximately 2-foot handle.

Fritch previously had an injunction against Sorrell from 2015 until January 2020. Deputies conducted a well-being check at their address in October after Fritch reported Sorrell was wearing military gear and carrying around a gun. No one was injured in that incident; Fritch told deputies Sorrell was protecting the home and she did not feel threatened by him.

Last night’s fatal shooting remains under investigation, and no further information or records are available for release at this time.