DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The man accused of shooting and killing a Daytona Beach jewelry store owner is now booked in the Volusia County jail.
John Craiger, 83, is accused of killing Ghazi Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond, in a shooting earlier this month. Craiger had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and head injury sustained after the shooting.
Leigh Osta, the victim’s wife, told News 6 that Craiger was a frequent customer, who became friends with her husband. She said Craiger started leaning on her husband for too much, so he pulled back.
“He came back a couple of weeks ago to sell some jewelry and my husband wasn’t interested. I think the jewelry was more or less a roost to get my husband to start up a bond again,” she said.
She said her husband and Craiger began arguing when the shooting happened.
According to police, officers saw on store surveillance video that Craiger then started walking away from the counter, pulled out a revolver, turned around and shot Osta. They said two store employees went after Craiger; one of whom was Osta’s own son, who shot back at Craiger. Craiger had also been struck in the head by a small statue by the other employee, who was able to approach him from behind, causing Craiger to fall to the ground.
The Osta family said now, there is a void in their family and the community.
“I want him to suffer and I want him to pay. We are going through so much pain. He took out a great man in the community, he took out our father, our husband. He took away so much in one second,” Leigh Osta said.
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