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Suspect Indicted in July Murder of Florida Jeweler
John Craiger, 83, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Ghazi “Gus” Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond in Daytona Beach.
A Volusia County grand jury has indicted John Willard Craiger, 83, on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following the July 19 shooting death of Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta. Osta owned Volusia Gold & Diamond in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daytona Beach, Fla.—John Willard Craiger, 83, has been indicted on murder charges in the death of Florida jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta.
On July 19, Craiger, said to be a frequent customer at Osta’s store, Volusia Gold & Diamond, entered the store before 1 p.m. and approached the jeweler while he was working behind the counter.
Following a “brief verbal altercation,” Craiger pulled a small revolver out of the right-front pocket of his pants and shot Osta in the head, according to police and the charging affidavit filed in the case.
Osta died of his injuries at the hospital.
A store employee, later identified as the victim’s son, David Osta, exchanged gunfire with Craiger.
Another employee approached Craiger from behind and struck him in the head with what appears to be a small statue, according to the affidavit.
Craiger fell to the ground, revolver in hand, and was struck again, this time with a small brass-colored vase.
Craiger was shot multiple times in the legs and also sustained a head injury, police said. The two store employees were not injured.
He was booked at the Volusia County Jail on July 31. He had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and head injuries, according to a local news report from WKMG/ClickOrlando.com.
The week of Aug. 5, a Volusia County grand jury indicted Craiger on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, the state attorney’s office for Florida’s seventh judicial circuit announced via Facebook.
His was one of five cases the grand jury heard that week.
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On July 19, Craiger, said to be a frequent customer at Osta’s store, Volusia Gold & Diamond, entered the store before 1 p.m. and approached the jeweler while he was working behind the counter.
Following a “brief verbal altercation,” Craiger pulled a small revolver out of the right-front pocket of his pants and shot Osta in the head, according to police and the charging affidavit filed in the case.
Osta died of his injuries at the hospital.
A store employee, later identified as the victim’s son, David Osta, exchanged gunfire with Craiger.
Another employee approached Craiger from behind and struck him in the head with what appears to be a small statue, according to the affidavit.
Craiger fell to the ground, revolver in hand, and was struck again, this time with a small brass-colored vase.
Craiger was shot multiple times in the legs and also sustained a head injury, police said. The two store employees were not injured.
He was booked at the Volusia County Jail on July 31. He had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and head injuries, according to a local news report from WKMG/ClickOrlando.com.
The week of Aug. 5, a Volusia County grand jury indicted Craiger on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, the state attorney’s office for Florida’s seventh judicial circuit announced via Facebook.
His was one of five cases the grand jury heard that week.
Osta was remembered by his family 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.”
A native of Lebanon who immigrated to the United States, Ghazi opened Volusia Gold & Diamond 38 years ago alongside his wife, Leigh Osta.
Together, they had four children: Sienna, David, Pavlina, and Fiona Osta.
“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,” said his family.
A GoFundMe page for the family had raised more than $14,000 as of press time.
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