Ashton Churchwell was taken into custody on Oct. 23 by Volusia County sheriff’s deputies after he fled his ex-girlfriend’s home in DeLand the day before. Authorities said they were able to make the arrest due to a tip from a member of the public.
Deputies said the 24-year-old and his ex-girlfriend were arguing over child custody and parenting issues via text messages the previous day, when he threatened to shoot her.
At around 7 a.m. on Oct. 22, Churchwell allegedly went to her home and broke a window to enter. Inside, the 24-year-old was accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in the head with a handgun and firing one shot in the boyfriend’s direction. However, no one was shot in the incident.
The male victim was treated at the scene for his head injury.
Deputies also accused Churchwell of slashing all four tires on one vehicle outside the home, filling its gas and oil tanks with dirt, and stealing its license plate. He also slashed a tire on another car parked at the house.
Churchwell was subsequently charged with attempted first-degree murder, armed burglary, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a conveyance, grand theft firearm, grand theft, and criminal mischief, according to the statement. His bond was set at $300,000.
Authorities later released a video showing aerial footage of the arrest.
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