Husband Convicted of Wife’s Murder in Daytona Beach: Tragic Incident Occurred in Front of Family

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A jury deliberated for 17 minutes on Wednesday before finding a man guilty of killing his wife in a shooting at their home in Daytona Beach in 2023.

Shantell Adkins was found guilty of first-degree murder (firearm) and two counts of aggravated assault.

On October 19, 2023, Adkins and his wife, Shawntai Adkins, 34, were involved in a heated argument at their residence on Fulton Street. As the situation escalated, Shawntai Adkins reached out to her parents for assistance in calming things down.

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,” stated 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.