A dispute between an uncle and his nephew turned deadly in Orange City on Saturday night, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
- Family argument turned deadly Saturday night
- Deputies say man shot and killed his nephew
- Man told deputies he fired gun in self-defense
Deputies say Fredrick Griswold, 56, shot and killed his nephew, James Lorefice, 28, after the two got into a “verbal argument that turned physical.”
"He has always been friendly, courteous, never any neighborhood squabbles with anybody, so it is definitely surprising," neighbor Allison Holland said.
According to deputies, Griswold and his nephew were drinking together at his house when an argument broke out in the garage. The fight moved into the house.
Witnesses told investigators that Lorefice tried to punch his uncle before slamming him into a piece of furniture.
Griswold went to his bedroom and grabbed a gun, according to deputies. He fired multiple times, hitting Lorefice at least once.
When deputies arrived, they found Lorefice dead and Griswold with a head injury.
Griswold was taken to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial for treatment.
Fredrick Griswold (Volusia County Jail)
Deputies charged him with first-degree murder Sunday morning. Griswold told investigators he shot his nephew in self-defense. He's hospitalized under police supervision with a bond of $100,000.
Deputies say that information gathered during the investigation indicates that the fight was over when Griswold grabbed his weapon.
Griswold was still hospitalized Monday morning, and his first court appearance in a Volusia courtroom was canceled.