DELTONA, Fla. — A Central Florida mother of three was shot and killed by her ex-husband, who later shot himself while fleeing officers, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.

The sheriff’s office said Ashley Vaia, 38, was found dead inside her Deltona home by her 19-year-old daughter around 2:22 a.m. Monday. Investigators said she was shot by her ex-husband, 33-year-old Samuel Vaia, who fled after the shooting.

The woman’s daughter told 911 she heard “screaming, glass breaking and gunshots,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. She told police she believed the shooter to be her mom’s ex-husband, Samuel Vaia.

Chitwood said Samuel Vaia’s father, who lives down the street, later called police and told deputies his son had just left the house with camo gear, a bulletproof vest, a long gun and a handgun.

Samuel Vaia was later found driving north out of the county on Interstate 95 at speeds of more than 100 mph, deputies said. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the St. Johns and Flagler County sheriff’s offices, responded using patrol vehicles, stop sticks and a helicopter. Vaia eventually crashed and rolled over near Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast around 3:20 a.m.

Vaia was carefully removed by deputies from the crash site around 5:15 a.m. He was taken to AdventHealth Palm Coast for treatment of his injuries, which included an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” to the head. He was later pronounced dead. 

“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” Chitwood said. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”

Samuel Vaia was arrested just a week ago on battery charges against Ashley Vaia, the sheriff’s office said. Ashley Vaia reportedly told deputies he pushed her into a bathroom, took her phone and accused her of cheating on him.

“The victim indicated she and her ex were attempting to reconcile their relationship, and he still had a key to her house due to their time-sharing agreement involving their child,” the sheriff’s office said. 

Samuel Vaia was arrested March 24 and charged with domestic battery. He later posted a $2,000 bond and was released the next evening.

Ashley Vaia had three children, ages 2, 19 and 21.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-SAFE (7233), or by texting START to 88788, or via live chat at www.thehotline.org.