DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A Daytona Beach jewelry store owner was killed Friday in a shooting that left the 83-year-old suspect wounded, police said.
According to a charging affidavit, the double-shooting was reported at Volusia Gold & Diamond at 536 W. International Speedway Blvd. Surveillance footage from inside the store showed a male customer walking up to the counter and having a verbal altercation with an employee behind the counter. The suspect then walks away from the counter, pulls out a small revolver from his pants pocket, walks back, and fires his gun directly at the employee.
Three employees were inside the shop when the suspect — identified as John Craiger, 83, of Daytona Beach — entered and shot the victim, Ghazi Osta, who owned the store.
Another worker returned fire, striking the suspect, who was taken to a hospital, police said.
Craiger had also been struck in the head by a small statue from another witness who was able to approach him from behind, causing Craiger to fall to the ground. Police said that the same witness also put Craiger in a headlock and struck him several times with their fists before hitting Craiger’s head with a small brass-colored vase.
According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, the shooting did not appear to be related to a robbery, and the slain employee was “very familiar” with Craiger.
Young said surveillance video may be released at a later time.
Craiger faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder, police said. He’s being held without bond, booking records show.