DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A 31-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday morning at the Volusia County vehicle maintenance facility in an apparent “love triangle” dispute, according to Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Deputies responded to a county facility on Indian Lake Road at 10:35 a.m. in Daytona Beach where they found a man who had been shot multiple times. The victim was later identified as Donald Geno, 31. He died at Halifax hospital. Geno was a master mechanic with the county.
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Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the suspected shooter, Damian DeRousha, 43, was at the scene in a white pickup truck and admitted to shooting Geno.
Geno was working on a vehicle when the suspect walked up and shot him multiple times, Chitwood said. DeRousha then put the gun down and sat in his truck until deputies arrived, according to the sheriff.
“Somebody made up their mind they were going to commit a murder today,” Chitwood said.
Everyone involved is a Volusia County employee, according to the sheriff.
“The impetus behind this as part of the investigation is there seems to be some type of love triangle here,” Chitwood said.
The sheriff said prior to the shooting, DeRousha told his supervisor that he had a family issue to take care of and needed to use some personal leave time.
“He drove here, got out of his car, walked into the garage (and) confronted the individual about an inappropriate relationship with his wife,” Chitwood said, adding the suspect then shot the victim at “point blank range.”
Witnesses told investigators the accused shooter was “very cool and collected” and showed no signs of distress prior to the incident.
DeRousha did not have a previous criminal history. He is now charged with first-degree murder in this case and remained in the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond.
DeRousha is employed by the county as a special projects coordinator and was hired in 2003. His wife has worked from the county since 2018.
Volusia County government officials said they are cooperating with the sheriff’s office.
The county’s critical incident stress management team and other resources are available to county employees impacted by the events.
“Our immediate concern is for the safety and welfare of our employees,” Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family and loved ones as well as his co-workers and other county employees who are understandably shaken up by the incident. This is a terrible tragedy, and we’re still processing today’s events, supporting our county family at this difficult time and grieving the loss of one of our own.”