VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man said he was in shock after fatally shooting his son during a fight at the family’s home in DeBary, according to a 911 call released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Joseph Johnson, 62, had been arguing with his son, 32-year-old Cory Johnson, hours before the fatal shooting on Monday because Cory Johnson was upset that his family didn’t help him get out of jail after he was arrested on drug charges.
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Joseph Johnson and his wife called authorities to seek advice because Cory Johnson wanted to take a car that was registered to both him and his mother, according to authorities.
Things escalated hours later when things turned physical between Joseph Johnson and his son.
“He pushed me to the ground, started hitting me,” Joseph Johnson said in a 911 call.
Records show he told the operator that Cory Johnson was not breathing or moving.
“I shot my son,” Joseph Johnson said.
The operator instructed Joseph Johnson to put the gun somewhere inside and go outside to wait for first responders.
“Ma’am, I’m in shock right now. I don’t know what to do,” Joseph Johnson said.
He said the fight started in the laundry room when his son hit him multiple times, but he didn’t say how the fight started, according to the call.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at the time of the shooting that Joseph Johnson was cooperating with the investigation and it’s possible that the shooting was done in self-defense.
No charges have been filed at this time.