Road rage leaves 1 dead in Deltona; shooter fired in self-defense, sheriff office says

The shooter in a road rage confrontation that left a man dead in Deltona Thursday fired in self-defense and was not arrested, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office.

Kenyon Ashley, 37, of Deltona, was fatally shot during the road rage incident reported at 9:11 p.m. in the area of Fisher and Leland drives, the sheriff's office stated.

The shooter, who was not identified by the sheriff's office, remained on the scene and told deputies that he had passed a white Dodge Charger that had slowed down ahead of him on DeBary Avenue, the sheriff's office stated. After he passed, he said the Charger, with its high beams on, started following him closely.

He said the Charger eventually backed off but it reappeared when he turned off Providence Boulevard onto Fisher Drive, according to the sheriff's office. He said the Charger sped up, pulled alongside and then got in front of him and cut him off, according to the sheriff's office.

He said the Charger's driver got out and approached, yelling as he held a firearm. The shooter said he feared for his life when he saw the Charger's driver raising his firearm and fired several times, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office stated it spoke to an "independent witness" whose account matched that of the shooter's. The witness said he saw the Charger cut off the other vehicle. He said he saw the Charger's driver get out. The witness said he saw the Charger's driver approach the other driver and point a gun at the driver, according to the sheriff's office.

The witness said he heard the other driver say multiple times something like "I don't want any problems." The witness then said he heard multiple gunshots.

The witness said he saw the shooter approach and check the Charger's driver, who was lying on the ground, and try to render aid, the sheriff's office stated.

Deputies recovered both firearms, multiple shell casings, projectiles and the vehicles from the scene.

Deputies contacted the State Attorney's Homicide Unit which determined that the evidence didn't support criminal charges, the sheriff's office stated.

The case remains open and will be reviewed by the State Attorney's Office which will make the final decision, the sheriff's office stated.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Road rage leaves 1 dead in Deltona; shooter fired in self-defense, sheriff office says