String of unsolved shootings on Florida interstates leaves 3 dead, 2 hurt

String of unsolved shootings on Florida interstates leaves 3 dead, 2 hurt
Published on September 1st, 2020 by Ashley

Authorities in Florida are looking for answers after a series of deadly shootings on two major interstates.

At least five shootings have taken place on I-75 and I-4 in the Tampa Bay area since June. Three people have died in the five interstate shootings, and two others were seriously injured but survived.

While no commercial vehicles have been targeted, a trucker who frequently travels on I-4 told Fox 13 that he worries about getting caught up in the crossfire. “I mean, we’re out on the road all of the time and this stuff, someone is being targeted, or even if it’s random, the problem is we are in it and we could become innocent victims,” he said.

See below for more information on each of the five shootings.

I-4, August 29

The most recent shooting occurred around 1:15 p.m. on August 29 on westbound I-4 at mile marker 36 in Polk County. A motorist reported seeing a red newer model Mustang driving recklessly and heard a “thump” noise on the driver’s side of his vehicle. The motorist initially believed that something had been thrown at his vehicle, but a pistol round was later recovered.

The motorist was able to recall a partial license plate number for the Mustang of “LEI” or “LE1.”

I-4, August 24

Another shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. on August 24 on eastbound I-4 near McIntosh Road in Hillsborough County. A 17 year old boy died after he was hit by gunfire believed to have come from a 1990’s model tan Ford Taurus.

This shooting is being investigated as a homicide. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) to leave a tip.

I-4, August 22

This shooting occurred around 2:20 p.m. on August 22 on westbound I-4 near the Hillsborough Avenue exit. A man in a Toyota sedan said that three black makes in a black Hyundai sedan pulled up along side him and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

The Toyota driver was taken to the hospital after he was struck by bullet fragments in his chest and torso. He survived the shooting.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) at 813-558-1800.

I-75, July 16

This shooting incident occurred around 3 a.m. on July 16 in the southbound lanes of I-75 near the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd exit. Witnesses saw occupants in a white Jeep Cherokee firing on a white Nissan sedan. The sedan was later found on the shoulder of the interstate with two occupants dead inside.

FHP says that two people fled the sedan on foot. These two people were later located and interviewed by police. A person also fled the Jeep on foot.

Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP at 813-558-1800 .

I-4, June 15

On the morning of June 15, FHP troopers spotted a crashed car alongside westbound I-4 near 21st Street. The 18 year old driver, who was lying outside of the vehicle, had been shot and multiple bullet holes were found in the drivers side door. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but survived.

Troopers say that the shooting caused the crash and that another person who was inside the crashed vehicle had fled.

No arrests have been made in any of the 5 shootings.

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