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Deputies shoot man accused of firing flare gun, trying to drown wife

DELTONA, Fla. — A deputy shot an armed 48-year-old man early Monday after he fired a gun in his Deltona home, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies were called shortly after 1:30 a.m. to a home on Champlain Drive near Doyle and Garfield roads after Amy Humphreys reported that her husband, Randel Humphreys, had tried to drown her in their swimming pool during an argument, Sheriff's Office spokesman Gary Davidson said.

A neighbor called 911 three minutes later to report that the soaked woman was banging on his door, seeking help, Davidson said.

"About five minutes later, the husband emerged at the front door holding a firearm and the deputy ordered him to put it down," Davidson said. "The suspect fired the gun, prompting a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy to return fire."

Deputies later learned that Randel Humphreys’ weapon was a flare gun, which deputies said he also used to hit the couple’s 19-year-old daughter in the head.

Investigators said the man was hit multiple times in the arm and the leg. He was flown to Sanford's Central Florida Regional Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The deputy who opened fire was identified as Deputy Andrew Jenkins.

Amy Humphreys, 49, was taken to Orange City's Florida Hospital Fish Memorial for treatment, Davidson said.

She has since been released.

The deputy was placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard in police-involved shootings.

Randel Humphreys is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, attempted felony murder and aggravated battery.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.