Man pointing gun at other drivers on I-95 crashes his pickup during police chase
On the morning of March 3 around 9:30 am, Florida’s Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office along with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) started receiving 911 calls about a person in a red truck pointing a gun at other vehicles on I-95 southbound in the greater Jacksonville area. SJSO deputies located that gun-wielding driver, identified as 62-year-old Samuel O’Neal Gardner, and tried stopping him. But, Gardner made a run for it in his pickup, pointing that gun at several law enforcement officers as he fled.
Officials say that Gardner was driving recklessly and eventually crashed his red pickup into the trees south of SR16. One civilian vehicle was impacted in the crash; the occupants 0f that vehicle were evaluated and released at the scene. A SJSO K9 engaged Gardner as deputies attempted to extract him from the vehicle. The gun-toting suspect had to be airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries.
ABC News reports authorities as saying in a press conference Monday afternoon that they did not know who or what Gardner was shooting at, or what motivated him to engage in this behavior. Samuel O’Neal Gardner is being charged with Aggravated Fleeing, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Reckless Driving, and Improper Exhibition of a Firearm.
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Detectives say that the investigation into the events on I-95 surrounding Gardner’s activities remains active – and they’re asking for the public’s help.
If you captured video or photos of the vehicle or occupant please share them with investigators here: https://stjohnscountyso.evidence.com/…/i95armedsubjecti…
If you were a witness to these events, please contact (904) 824-8304 to be put in touch with a detective or email crimetips@sjso.org and a detective will call you back. ~ St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Source and all images: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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