Volusia deputy involved in fatal shooting over cab fare

DELTONA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A man who was shot by a Volusia County deputy early Monday evening at his Deltona residence has died, the Sheriff's Office confirms to FOX 35. 

A dispute over a cab fare Monday night in Deltona escalated when the customer pulled out a gun, prompting a responding sheriff's deputy to fire on the armed man, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson told FOX 35. The man was shot multiple times and airlifted by a Sheriff's Office helicopter to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, where he later died. 

A spokesman with the Sheriff's Office said the disagreement began shortly before 6:30 p.m. when a cab driver took a customer to an address on Maldive Court in Deltona.

The cab company called for a deputy who arrived just before 7 p.m. to try to resolve the dispute.  The man went into the house and came out carrying a gun, according to deputies.  Perceiving a threat, Deputy Kyle Cowger drew his gun and fired on the man in the doorway.

"The man was pointing the firearm at them and was threatening them with the firearm. They challenged the individual. They told me him to put the gun down. He did not put it down," said Sheriff Johnson.  "Their lives were in danger, at which time they fired on this individual."