Sniper kills gunman after hours-long standoff, Turkey Day shootout in Ormond-by-the-Sea

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ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – A gunman who fired over 200 shots at neighboring residences and law enforcement was fatally shot by a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VSO) sniper Wednesday morning, ending an hours-long standoff that left no one safe There were additional injuries available, according to officials.

The incident began at the Kingston Shores condominiums at 5500 Ocean Shore Boulevard, where officers responded to reports that a man, later identified as Joseph DiFusco, had fired shots from inside his apartment. As the situation escalated, authorities evacuated residents and rerouted traffic.

DiFusco fired repeatedly at neighboring units and a VSO vehicle, prompting officers to maintain a safe perimeter while simultaneously de-escalating. Despite efforts to negotiate, the gunman continued firing, leading to the deployment of the sheriff’s office sniper who ultimately neutralized the threat.

Photos released by the VSO showed significant damage to surrounding units caused by DiFusco’s gunfire. Sheriff Mike Chitwood thanked the community for their cooperation in what he described as a “potentially dangerous” situation.

“No officers or other parties were injured,” the sheriff’s office confirmed in a statement, adding that a full update would follow.

The firing patterns seemed extremely irregular and inappropriate. Fortunately, no innocent bystanders were injured due to the suspect’s lack of accuracy.