Ormond-by-the-Sea Shooter Killed After Opening Fire On Neighbors, Deputies

Date Added: November 28, 2024 1:37 pm

***Update #6: Revised count of rounds fired***

***Update #5: Video***

This is body camera footage from yesterday’s Thanksgiving Day incident at Kingston Shores Condominiums in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

After the shooter opened fire at neighbors’ homes and at responding deputies, these deputies made every effort to convince him to surrender peacefully.

Ultimately, a VSO SWAT sniper fired the round that ended the threat. We are not posting any footage or images that depict loss of life.

The shooter, Joseph DiFusco Jr. (DOB 10/12/1968), was a military veteran, a convicted felon out of his home state of Connecticut, and the subject of a pending ex parte order in Volusia County due to a series of extreme mental health episodes that included delusions, hallucinations, manic behavior, and threats to his wife’s and daughter’s lives.

Following the incident, two Thompson submachine guns, a .45 caliber handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun were recovered from inside DiFusco’s condominium.

Several neighboring units were damaged by gunfire, but thankfully no neighbors, bystanders, or deputies were injured. DiFusco fired an estimated 200+ rounds during the incident.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the incident, as is standard in deputy-involved shootings.

***Update #4***

The shooter in this morning’s incident, Joseph DiFusco, was killed by a VSO sniper after firing in excess of an estimated 200 rounds at neighboring residences and VSO units over several hours. No other parties were injured. Photos have been added to this post displaying some of the damage to neighboring units from DiFusco’s bullets. On behalf of Sheriff Chitwood, We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation, patience, and prayers during this potentially dangerous incident.

***Update #3***

The shooter is deceased and no deputies or other parties were injured. News media: Sheriff Chitwood will provide briefing at staging area momentarily. A more comprehensive update will follow on this post.

***Update #2***

Please continue to avoid the area as the shooter is still shooting. News media: If you're coming, your staging area is the parking lot at High Bridge Road and Ocean Shore Blvd. Again, please do not approach the scene.

***Update***

This call is still active and ongoing. We will post significant updates as they're available and an all clear when this is resolved. Until then, please continue to avoid the area as deputies are working this call.

***

Attention Ormond-by-the-Sea area: Please avoid the area of 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd. (Kingston Shores condominiums). Deputies are on scene in response to a man shooting multiple rounds outside his condo and at neighboring units. He has also fired at a VSO vehicle from inside his condo. Neighbors have been notified and evacuated and traffic is being rerouted. If you’re out for a morning walk please avoid this area as we work to resolve the incident. Thanks all!