A Florida man, Shantell Adkins, has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Shawntai Adkins, in a brutal and tragic incident that took place in front of her parents. The verdict comes after a brief trial and quick deliberation, with Adkins convicted of first-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of aggravated assault.
The Murder Incident
The tragic events unfolded on the evening of October 19, 2023, when a heated argument broke out between Shantell and Shawntai Adkins at their home on Fulton Street in Daytona Beach. As the situation escalated, Shawntai called her parents for help. When her parents arrived at around 6:30 p.m., they tried to assist Shawntai by leading her out of the house.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Shantell Adkins used a rifle to shoot his wife in the neck, killing her instantly. According to the Volusia County State Attorney’s Office, after the murder, Adkins also threatened to harm his wife’s parents before he shot himself in the shoulder.
The Aftermath
When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they found Shantell Adkins in the front yard with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Shawntai Adkins’ parents, who witnessed the devastating murder, were left in complete shock and grief, with her mother later revealing that Shawntai had discovered her husband’s infidelity earlier that day through messages on his Apple Watch. Shawntai had reportedly vowed to divorce him upon learning of the affair.
Additionally, Shawntai had accused her husband of taking her motorcycle while intoxicated, just days after he had been admitted to an alcohol recovery center. This was the context in which the couple’s argument escalated and ultimately led to Shawntai’s tragic death.
The Trial and Verdict
The trial lasted two days and concluded with a swift 17-minute deliberation. Shantell Adkins was found guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of aggravated assault. The conviction marks another devastating case of domestic violence, with the prosecutor, State Attorney R.J. Larizza, expressing the profound impact on Shawntai’s family, especially her parents, who witnessed the murder of their daughter.
This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the destructive power of domestic violence. Shawntai Adkins’ family is left to mourn the loss of their loved one, and the community is left to grapple with the impact of yet another senseless domestic tragedy.
