Florida road rager who instigated shootout with another armed driver on busy highway, arrested
On August 8, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) reported on the arrest of a man responsible for a road rage incident that escalated into a shootout between two drivers in the middle of the day on a busy roadway. That man was identified as 28-year-old Tayler Strickland who was charged with attempted murder and shooting deadly missiles.
Background: On Saturday, August 2, just before 1:45 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at Atlantic Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff. They learned that a 25-year-old man, who was in the car with his mother and aunt, had been involved in a road rage incident with another driver following a near crash.
According to the complainant, the suspect pulled out a firearm and waved it at him. The victim then drew his own firearm, and the suspect began shooting. The victim returned fire.
The victim was struck by gunfire and subsequently crashed his vehicle. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening.
Patrol officers began searching for the silver Volkswagen sedan the suspect was driving. Detectives from JSO’s Robbery and Violent Crime Unit, along with analysts from the Real Time Crime Center, launched an investigation – interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage.
An analyst was able to use nearby cameras and other technology to identify the shooter’s vehicle and license plate. Investigators traced the car to Strickland’s residence, where they found the vehicle in the driveway. It had a bullet strike to the rear passenger door and a patch on the windshield covering apparent damage.
On August 6, Strickland turned himself in at the Police Memorial Building. He is now in custody at the Duval County Jail. JSO arrested Strickland in 2019 for assault/battery in an unrelated case.
At this time, the other driver is not facing charges, as evidence indicates he acted in self-defense.
The Sheriff’s Office went on to state that Strickland’s actions could have killed not only the people in the car he fired at, but also innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
“Please, be careful and stay calm on the roads. No dispute is worth a life. Hang up and call 911 and let police handle it.” ~ JSO
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(Source and Tayler Strickland mugshot: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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