DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The family of a Daytona Beach jewelry store owner who was shot and killed Friday said he was “always striving to help those around him.”
Ghazi Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond, was fatally shot at the store on W. International Speedway Boulevard when police said a customer began arguing with Osta. Surveillance video showed the suspect — 83-year-old John Craiger — walk away from the counter, pull out a small revolver from his pocket, walk back and fire directly at Osta, according to a charging affidavit.
“He worked the store from the ground up. From a little bag that he had to carry with the jewelry and it just expanded over the years,” said Osta’s wife, Leigh Osta.
Leigh Osta told News 6 their family has owned the store for over 35 years.
“He would spend so much time with the customers. They were like family to him, if they needed anything. If they didn’t have money for lunch, he would give them so much money for that,” she said.
Now, Leigh Osta said that world has been turned upside down after her husband was murdered.
“The horror that we’re going through, the nightmare that we’re living through, is unspeakable,” she said.
Leigh Osta said her husband was working at the counter Friday when the 83-year-old man, later identified as John Craiger, walked in and began arguing with her husband.
Daytona Beach police told News 6 they saw on store surveillance video that Craiger then started walking away from the counter, pulled out a revolver, turned around and shot Osta. They said two store employees went after Craiger; one of whom was Osta’s own son, who shot back at Craiger.
“My son stayed with my husband until the ambulance arrived,” Leigh Osta said.
Leigh Osta told News 6 Craiger was a frequent customer, who became friends with her husband, but she said Craiger started leaning on her husband for too much, so he pulled back.
“He came back a couple of weeks ago to sell some jewelry and my husband wasn’t interested. I think the jewelry was more or less a roost to get my husband to start up a bond again,” she said.
The Osta family said now, there is a void in their family and the community.
“I want him to suffer and I want him to pay. We are going through so much pain. He took out a great man in the community, he took out our father, our husband. He took away so much in one second,” Leigh Osta said.
Craiger was arrested but we’re told he is still in the hospital recovering after he was shot.
A GoFundMe set up to help with funeral expenses described Osta as “a loving father, brother, and friend to so many.”
“He had the soul of a lion and always wore his heart on his sleeve. His energy, generosity, and passion for life could be felt by all those who came into contact with him. Our dad was always striving to help those around him. He loved his community, and they loved him back. He will be deeply missed,” the message continues.
Police said the shooting did not appear to be related to a robbery, and the family’s GoFundMe said it was “a horrific act of violence by a frequent customer.”
The suspect had also been struck in the head by a small statue from another person who was able to approach him from behind, causing Craiger to fall to the ground. Police said that the same person also put Craiger in a headlock and struck him several times with their fists before hitting Craiger’s head with a small brass-colored vase.
“Our family will never be the same. Our lives will be so empty and quieter without him,” the GoFundMe said.
If you’d like to donate toward funeral expenses, click here.
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