DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – A young woman was fortunate that her parents were nearby and alert late Friday evening. Hearing her daughter’s screams they leapt into action, only to have the man also attack the mother.
Exhausting all other options, the father shot the man, critically wounding him and putting an end to the violence. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the incident unfolded around 11 pm. at a home in the 1900 block of Forest Avenue in Daytona Beach.
The parents were in their home when they heard the screams of their daughter from outside. They saw her boyfriend, 26-year-old Vincent Moore assaulting her, causing her to bleed from the mouth and face. They went outside and attempted to stop the attack, but it only changed the focus of Moore’s rage.
“The parents said they tried to break up the fight to no avail,” deputies said. “The father told detectives he fired one warning shot into the ground while the mother tried to get Moore to leave.” Unfortunately, Moore then began assaulting the mother. Concerned for their safety, the father shot Moore.
“The parents said they tried to break up the fight to no avail,” deputies said. “The father told detectives he fired one warning shot into the ground while the mother tried to get Moore to leave.” Unfortunately, Moore then began assaulting the mother. Concerned for their safety, the father shot Moore.
“Moore was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition,” deputies added. “Moore’s girlfriend had several visible injuries to her face and mouth, consistent with having been battered.” No charges have been filed against the father and charges against Moore are pending.
We often think of carrying a defensive handgun only to protect ourselves in situations where we are in fear for our life, but it is not unusual for a gun owner to find themselves in circumstances where they are compelled to protect others from violent and potentially deadly situations. In this case the score was Hero Dad – 1, Loser Boyfriend – 0.