A man in Florida fatally shot his wife in the neck after accusing her of infidelity during a heated argument. Prosecutors described the act as a brutal murder.
Chantel Adkins, 37, was convicted of first-degree murder along with additional charges for killing his 34-year-old wife, Shaun Tai, in their Daytona Beach home on October 19, 2023, according to the state attorney’s office for the 7th Judicial Circuit.
According to prosecutors, the victim’s parents witnessed the tragic event unfold as they arrived to assist after their daughter called for help amid the escalating fight.
“Losing a child is the worst nightmare for every parent,” said state Attorney RJ Laliza in a statement.
“Adkins executed our victim in front of his parents and then threatened them as well. It’s another case of domestic violence resulting in a shattered family,” he added.
The conflict escalated after Shaun Tai discovered a suspicious text message on her husband’s phone and confronted him about it. Her mother later recounted the events during a deposition.
The argument intensified as the wife accused her husband of drinking while participating in alcohol treatment and riding a bike under the influence, prompting her parents to intervene.
Tragically, once they arrived, the husband grabbed a rifle and fired, hitting his wife. The parents, witnessing the chaos, fled in fear, and the father suffered a leg injury.
Sadly, his wife succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Adkins was also found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault following a two-day trial.
He is expected to face a life sentence when he is sentenced on June 23rd.
