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Shots fired into Volusia County Republican Party satellite office, police say

Bianca Padró OcasioContact ReporterOrlando Sentinel

At least four shots were fired into the Volusia County Republican Party’s office in South Daytona, police said Monday.

No one was injured, according to South Daytona police Capt. Mark Cheatham, but the shooting broke the offices’ front window and caused some damage to the drywall inside.

Cheatham said a volunteer reported the incident on Monday, which could’ve happened between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning at the office located at 2841 South Nova Road.

No eyewitnesses have been identified and investigators are in the process of tracking down surveillance footage from neighboring businesses, Cheatham said.

Volusia County Republican chair Tony Ledbetter, told WFTV that “some sick person,” which he identified as “Democrats,” took their anger out on his office.

“You’ve got some sick person, and I’ll call them out, they’re Democrats. No Republican has any reason to come attack our location,” Ledbetter said.

Police have not released any information about potential suspects, their political affiliations or motive for the incident.

Anyone with information on the incident should call the South Daytona Police Department at 386-322-3030.

Political organizations and elected officials condemned the shooting later on Monday.

The League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence called the incident “domestic terrorism” that comes on the heels of a mass shooting that claimed 11 lives at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

“The hatred that is consuming our state and country helps no one and hurts us all,” the groups said in a statement.

Gov. Rick Scott, who is vying to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in Florida’s Senate race, also condemned the shooting and thanked the officers who responded.

“Glad everyone at the Volusia County Republican headquarters is okay and that no one was inside when the shooting happened,” he tweeted.

State Rep. Patrick Henry (D-Daytona Beach) released a statement saying he was “angry” about the incident, which occurred after “one of the deadliest 72 hours in America.”

“Your party affiliation should never make you a target of gun violence,” Henry said. Henry is the incumbent in the race for Florida’s House District 26, where he’s facing Republican Elizabeth Fetterhoff.

Referring to the office shooting, Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said there was “no room for violence or intimidation in this election.”

“I condemn this shooting in Volusia County in the strongest possible terms, & urge anyone with information to share it with the authorities,” Gillum tweeted. “I want supporters on all sides of this election to stay safe.”