Friend says Daytona Beach woman shot, killed while protecting her from gunman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — UPDATE: March 5, 2017 4:30 p.m.

Daytona Beach police confirmed to Eyewitness News Sunday afternoon that 22-year-old Michael Guardino's body was found shortly after 2 p.m.

The initial cause of death is believed to be suicide.

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Daytona Beach police are looking for a man they said shot and killed a woman at a restaurant Saturday morning.

Investigators said 22-year-old Michael Guardino shot 24-year-old Victoria Akers after she intervened in an argument between one of her friends and Guardino.

Akers’ friend said she was protecting her from Guardino and won’t feel safe until Guardino is caught.

“I’m still numb. I cried for a while and I can’t even cry any more tears, I still don’t believe it,” said Jessica Minutilio, 21.

Police said Akers was with her friends at the Italian Pizza and Grill on North Atlantic Avenue about 1 a.m. when shots were fired.

Minutillo said Guardino threatened her because he was angry over an old grudge.

As the yelling escalated, Minutillo said Akers stepped in to defend her, and that’s when Guardino pulled out a gun.

“He killed a mother of a 7-year-old. He killed a daughter. He killed a best friend. He killed a wife,” said Minutillo. “To know you can’t call her today, you can’t go hang out with her today. We had plans, you know?”

Police arrived to find Akers outside the restaurant with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Her husband was hovering over her trying to stop the bleeding, a report said.

She was treated on scene and taken to Halifax Hospital, where she was later died.

Police said Guardino ran from the area toward Seabreeze Boulevard and hasn’t been found.

Chief talks about 2 fatal shootings in city: 

“She pushed him off and he fires off a gun, striking her in the neck then runs,” said Chief Craig Capri of the Daytona Beach Police Department. “We have great video evidence, we have great witnesses. We’re just looking for him now.”

Police said they’re getting a number of tips about Guardino’s whereabouts.

“Justice needs to be served, no matter what,” said Minutillo.

An award is available for information that leads to his arrest.

Akers' death was one of two fatal shooting in Daytona Beach on Saturday. Police said a man was shot and killed in his car on Eldorado Street shortly before 7 a.m. The gunman is being sought in that case as well. 

Cox Media Group