Florida road rage shooting leaves one dead and shooter still at large

A shooting on a Florida interstate (Interstate 4) has left one dead and prompted officials to close eastbound traffic on the highway near Interstate 75 as law enforcement continues to investigate, authorities said.

UPDATE: The shooter has been arrested and it was revealed the shooting was not road rage related – details here

photo/Alan Cleaver

A man who alerted 911 to a person he said was following him on Interstate 4 in Tampa was shot and killed while on the phone with dispatchers Saturday afternoon.

“While on the phone, the caller stated that the vehicle following him had earlier pulled up next to his vehicle and someone displayed what appeared to be a semiautomatic weapon to him,” Carter added.

Sheriff David Gee said the victim called 911 after some type of confrontation at the intersection of North 50th Street & East Columbus Drive — some 5 miles to the west in Tampa.

The victim told 911 he was still being pursued and was concerned before the shooting occurred.

“At some point, for unknown reasons, the occupant, or occupants, of one vehicle fired multiple shots at the other vehicle,” HCSO spokesperson Debbie Carter said. The victim was on the phone with 911 when dispatchers heard multiple shots.

The shooting occurred at some point near where the victim’s vehicle came to a stop on the interstate, Gee said.

“A short time later, about 10-15 officers in full armor with guns drawn went past us and approached the vehicle that pulled over,” Brad Dawson told Bay News 9. “A short time later they rerouted us to the nearest ramp to get us out of there.”

Authorities are looking for a small, silver four-door car, the Sheriff’s Office said. I-4 eastbound will remain closed as authorities work the crime scene.