FLORIDA – Florida Highway Patrol State Troopers have arrested a Florida driver for allegedly firing a gun at a vehicle traveling on the Florida Turnpike.
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According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), it received information about a reckless vehicle driving north on the Florida Turnpike around mile marker 191. The vehicle was described as a white sedan improperly changing lanes, cutting in front of vehicles, and following too closely while driving at a high rate of speed over 100 mph.
FHP troopers initiated a traffic stop and instructed the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle. After exiting as instructed, the driver – Zion Zaire Waller, 22, of Leesburg – was arrested and charged for reckless driving, and the passenger was detained while the vehicle was inventoried before being towed.
As troopers spoke to the occupants, a pickup truck pulled up alongside the patrol car. The driver told the troopers that the white sedan pulled over for reckless driving had also shot at their vehicle, causing damage to the driver’s side door.
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Upon inspecting the subject vehicle, a loaded rifle and handgun were reportedly recovered on the front passenger floorboard.
FHP troopers from the FHP Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) were dispatched. After further investigation and interviews with passengers of both vehicles, Waller was transported to the Osceola County Jail and is charged with three counts of attempted murder, reckless driving, shooting into an occupied vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and possessing an unlicensed firearm.
According to the FHP, its investigation concluded that Waller’s motivation to fire his weapon most likely resulted from an aggressive driving and “road rage” type incident preceding the discharge of the firearm.
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Over 61,928 citations have been issued for aggressive driving since 2020 – each year, the percentage increases by over 13%, with an overall total increase of 31% in the last three years, said the FHP.
Aggressive driving is present in several unsafe practices, such as following too closely, rapid lane changes without signals, accelerated speed over the posted limit, failing to yield right-of-way, improper passing, and running traffic lights.
If you are involved in an aggressive driving incident, remain calm and call *FHP (*347) for assistance. Do not engage with the other driver or put yourself at risk by trying to gather further information.
Zion Zaire Waller arrest affidavit
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