VCSO Arrests DeLand Man After Shot Fired At Ex's House

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UPDATE (10-24-18): VCSO says Ashton Churchwell was found and arrested this afternoon at a home on Boulevard Court in DeLand thanks to a tip.
Earlier reporting below. DeLand, FL - Deputies in Volusia County are searching right now for a DeLand man wanted on eight charges - including attempted first-degree murder - after the Sheriff's Office says he broke into his ex-girlfriend's home, pistol-whipped her current boyfriend and fired at least one shot in that man's direction. 24-year-old Ashton Churchwell may be behind the wheel of a gray 2002 Toyota Camry SE with either its correct Florida tag (HTZ N26) or one he stole from a vehicle outside his ex's home on Oak Park Drive in DeLand yesterday morning (October 22nd). VCSO spokesperson Andrew Gant tells us Churchwell stole that Florida license plate (BNI D07) after slashing all four of the vehicle's tires and filling its gas and oil tanks with dirt. "He had threatened to shoot her," Gant noted. "He also slashed a tire on another car parked at the house. He should be considered armed and potentially dangerous." Investigators think the break-in stems from arguments Churchwell and his ex-girlfriend had the day before through text messages regarding child custody and parenting issues. "Around 7 a.m. Monday, Churchwell broke a window to get inside the house, hit his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend in the head with his handgun and at one point fired it once in his direction," Gant added. "No one was shot in the incident, and EMS personnel treated the pistol-whip victim on scene for his head injury." Besides attempted first-degree murder, Churchwell is also wanted for 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. Churchwell is facing a total bond of $200,000 once he’s booked at Volusia County Jail, per Gant. Anyone with information that might lead to his capture is urged to call 911 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS (8477) to be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.
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