An uncle who shot and killed

Man, who claims he fired in self-defense, is being charged with first-degree murder

his nephew after a family fight Saturday night in Volusia County Saturday night is charged with first degrees murder, deputies say.

An uncle shot and killed his nephew after a family fight in Volusia County Saturday night, deputies said.

Fredrick Griswold, 56, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Griswold is being guarded at the hospital, said Volusia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Gary Davidson said.

Griswold’s nephew, James Lorefice, is dead, deputies said. He was 28.

Deputies said it all began when Lorefice and his mother came to Griswold’s home in the 400 block of Charles Avenue, just west of Orange City, Saturday and the two men were drinking.

An argument began in the garage and spilled over into the house, investigators said.

Witnesses say Lorefice threw a punch at his uncle, and slammed him into a china cabinet and a coffee table. Griswold claimed Lorefice was armed with a knife, Davidson said.

As the argument ended, and others began calming Lorefice down, Griswold disappeared to his bedroom.

He returned with a gun, and fired multiple shots at his nephew.

Lorefice was struck at least once, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies said Griswold claimed he fired in self-defense, but since the argument had ended, “detectives charged Griswold because the fight was over and he wasn’t actively defending himself when he shot the victim,” Davidson said.

Griswold