Altercation in New Smyrna Beach ends in shooting; Suspect arrested

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department responded to a shooting just after 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning, near the 1500 block of South Dixie Freeway. Responding officers discovered two adult males at the scene, who were the only individuals involved in the incident. Notably, the sole firearm recovered from the scene was a semi-automatic handgun belonging to the suspect, Stephen Hammersley, 66.

The victim, whose identity is protected under Marsy’s law, suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and was promptly attended to by emergency medical services before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. He is listed in stable condition.

According to a release, eyewitnesses informed officers that they had observed a verbal altercation between the two men; however, no witnesses saw the shooting.

Hammersley was taken into custody by the New Smyrna Beach Police and is facing charges of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. Following his arrest, Hammersley is at the Volusia County Branch Jail and held on a $10,000 bond.

As the investigation continues, the New Smyrna Beach Police Department urges anyone with relevant information about the crime to contact Detective Ishikawa at 386-402-8232 or via email at jishikawa@cityofnsb.com.