DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After 17 minutes of deliberation, a jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting death of his wife at their Daytona Beach home.
Shantell Adkins was found guilty of first-degree murder (firearm) and two counts of aggravated assault.
On October 19, 2023, Adkins was arguing with his wife, Shawntai Adkins, 34, at their Fulton Street home. When the argument intensified, Shawntai Adkins called her parents and asked them to come help de-escalate the situation.
Shantell Adkins took out a rifle and shot his wife in the neck as she was walking out of the home with her parents. She died at the scene.
Shantell Adkins’ father broke his leg while running away, but recovered from his injuries after medical treatment.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a child,” said State Attorney R.J. Larizza. “Adkins executed our victim in front of her parents and then threatened to do the same to them. Another domestic murder and another devastated family.”
Shantell Adkins, who shot himself after killing his wife, will be sentenced to mandatory life in prison, officials said.
The trial lasted two days.