Victoria Akers, a 24-year-old resident of Edgewater, Florida, tragically lost her life on March 4, 2017, in Daytona Beach. The incident occurred outside the Italian Pizza and Grill on North Atlantic Avenue. According to reports, Akers was attempting to intervene in a dispute between her friend and Michael Guardino, a 22-year-old from Ormond Beach. The altercation escalated when Guardino pulled out a handgun and shot Akers twice in the neck.
She was found by her boyfriend, Cody Collins, who tried to stop the bleeding. Despite being rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center, Akers succumbed to her injuries.
The Daytona Beach Police Department launched an immediate investigation into the shooting. Michael Guardino, who had a history of arrests for various offenses including obstruction, battery, and drug possession, was identified as the primary suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest on first-degree murder charges. The police described Guardino as armed and dangerous and initiated a manhunt to apprehend him.
The search for Guardino concluded the following day when his body was discovered near the scene of the shooting. It was determined that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This development brought an abrupt end to the investigation, as the suspect was no longer alive to face prosecution. The police confirmed Guardino's identity through an autopsy and closed the case, citing his death as the resolution to the murder investigation.
The community of Daytona Beach was deeply affected by the incident, with many expressing their sorrow and condolences for Akers' family and friends. The case highlighted issues of gun violence and the impact of criminal histories on public safety. While the immediate threat was neutralized with Guardino's death, the tragedy of Victoria Akers' untimely demise left a lasting impression on those who knew her and the broader community.
