A Daytona Beach resident was accused of breaking in and shooting his former partner at their Palm Coast home, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. 52-year-old John Lyles has been in custody at the county jail since Friday, August 7.
Lyles reportedly moved out of the residence where the shooting occurred just days prior. Law enforcement said all of his belongings were already removed from the home by the time the incident took place.
According to a police report, the resident called 911 after hearing Lyles begin trying to enter her home. She was said to have been there with another individual, listed as a male. Lyles reportedly tried breaking down the bedroom door, hitting it into her as she tried to keep it from opening.
After getting into the bedroom, Lyles allegedly produced a handgun. The woman was heard on the 911 call pleading for Lyles to stop. A struggle ensued, and at least one shot was fired. The man who was in the home was shot in the hand. The woman told her 911 dispatcher that the shooting victim’s pinky finger was coming off. By now, Lyles is said to have gotten into a white Mercedes SUV and driven away.
Per the police report, Lyles entered the woman’s bedroom searching for the other man, who was hiding in the bathroom attached to the bedroom. Once he got into the bathroom, the two men are said to have begun fighting for possession of the gun. After the shot was fired, Lyles reportedly ran out the front door and into the back seat of the SUV, still holding the gun.
Detectives were able to identify the year, make, and model of the SUV in question. It was later found driving southbound on I-95, and a traffic stop was initiated. Only one person was inside, who told the deputy that they did bring Lyles to the F Section residence where the shooting occurred. He then reportedly said he had Lyles get out in Palm Coast’s B Section.
The SUV was seized after a search warrant was obtained. The driver voluntarily agreed to come to the FCSO Operations Center to be interviewed. Per the police report, the driver only knew Lyles passingly from bars in Daytona. The night before, Lyles reportedly mentioned recent relationship troubles and asked if he could have a ride to his home in Palm Coast.
The driver said he then waited for Lyles to get inside safely. After hearing the gunshot the driver said he began backing out, but that Lyles got back into the SUV seeming to be holding a gun. He then followed Lyles’s instructions out of apparent fear.
Lyles himself was located by deputies walking along Belle Terre Parkway near Bannister Lane. Using a visual description provided by the victim, he was identified and arrested. A search reportedly led to the discovery of cocaine on his person. Lyles was charged with armed burglary, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony battery with prior convictions, and cocaine possession. He was booked into the county jail without bond.
