Florida woman, 76, shoots daughter in self-defense, deputies say

Tribune Content Agency

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 76-year-old woman shot her daughter Thursday afternoon while trying to defend herself in a domestic violence incident.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call in reference to domestic violence incident at around 4 p.m. on the 1500 block of South Montgomery Street in DeLand, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies learned that the 76-year-old woman’s daughter, Julie Edwards, 54, came to the house after an earlier disturbance to gather her clothes, but proceeded to hit her mother in the chest, said VCSO spokesperson Andrew Gant.

The mother grabbed her .22 caliber handgun in response.

Edwards began hitting her mother again, but the mother warned her she would shoot Edwards if she continued, Gant said.

Edwards ignored the warning and resumed hitting her mother, which resulted in the mother shooting Edwards in the leg, Gant said.

Edwards was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford for a non-life-threatening injury. She was later charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older, Gant said. Her mother faces no charges.

Edwards has been previously arrested for domestic violence battery, aggravated battery and other charges, Gant said. She is also on probation for a separate incident of aggravated battery on a person 65 or older. Edwards was arrested in February 2019 for a DUI and threatening an officer in an incident captured on an officer body camera, and widely shared online.

As of Friday morning, Edwards is still being treated at CFRH, but will be transported to Volusia County Jail following her treatment.

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