Fight over woman leads to shooting in Flagler County, deputies say

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A fight between two men in a Dollar General parking lot ended in a shooting Sunday morning, leading to one of the men’s arrest, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded just after 9 a.m. to reports of a fight at the Dollar General on Matanzas Woods Parkway in Palm Coast. By the time deputies arrived, the two men drove off from the parking lot.

Moments later, one of the drivers contacted emergency services claiming that the other driver, identified as Victor Smith, 46, had fired five shots at his vehicle with a revolver. Two of the bullets reportedly struck the victim’s vehicle, a press release said.

The sheriff’s office said the fight happened because the man who was shot at was living with and dating Smith’s estranged wife. The two have been separated for at least five months, deputies said.

Smith’s vehicle and the other man’s vehicle were found traveling north on U.S. 1, and Smith was taken into custody.

He faces several charges, including battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He has since posted bond, which was set at $96,000.

“This is a perfect example of how personal disputes can turn violent. While both parties should have walked away, one of them made the poor choice to dissolve the dispute with a firearm,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release.