TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Leon County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting incident that happened off I-10 on Friday evening. Two people are being treated for their injuries. Updates are being provided below as new information is released.
UPDATE: Saturday BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged a teen in connection to a shooting late last night along Interstate 10 and Thomasville Road.
Overnight, deputies say they tracked the suspect to his residence, and they say he turned himself in without any problems.
“The good work of our deputies and the relationship we have with the community is what allowed us to make that arrest,” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said.
Deputies say the teen was targeting another man who was hit and life-flighted to a hospital out of town with serious injuries.
Another victim, a woman, was struck unintentionally. Deputies expect her to recover.
Deputies say the suspect fired from a vehicle and fled, but LCSO investigators were able track him down.
He now faces two counts of attempted murder and three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
“Our hope is that there is no bond given the magnitude of the shooting that took place and just no respect for life whatsoever,” Sheriff McNeil said.
The exit 203 ramp on I-10 is back open.
Despite the arrest, authorities are still asking anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office.
Sheriff McNeil said the real-time crime center was essential in bringing the suspect to justice.
The system monitors roadways throughout the community, allowing officers to track the location of a vehicle at any given time.
UPDATE: Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Deputies arrested a 17-year-old in connection with Friday’s shooting near I-10 and Thomasville Road.
They say Jakhari Williams is charged with two counts of attempted murder and three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office says the suspect was targeting a man who was hit during the shooting. He was life-flighted to a hospital outside of town with serious injuries. A woman was also hit during the gunfire. Investigators believe the suspect was not targeting her. Deputies expect her to recover.
UPDATE: Saturday 1:00 p.m.
An LCSO spokesperson says the suspect fired shots from a vehicle and then left the scene in that vehicle. Investigators say the suspect was targeting one of the victims and the other was struck unintentionally by a bullet.
UPDATE: Saturday, October 4
In a social media post the Leon County Sheriff's Office says a person of interest has been identified and they are actively talking to that person. LCSO says that two search warrants have also been executed.
The sheriff's office says the I-10 exit ramp is back open following the shooting.
UPDATE: 11:00 p.m.
Watch the video below to hear what investigators are saying about the shooting.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Two people were shot near a busy interstate exit in Tallahassee Friday night, prompting a large law enforcement response and an ongoing search for the suspect.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect fired shots early Friday evening at the Exit 203 ramp on Interstate 10 eastbound.
Two people and three vehicles were hit. One victim had to be life-flighted to a hospital out of town, and deputies say the suspect left the scene in a vehicle.
I spoke with Leon County Undersheriff Ron Cave near the crime scene. He says investigators believe this was a targeted attack.
“Two individuals have been shot in separate vehicles...One has more serious injuries than the other. The suspect is currently at large. We are following up on information relative to a possible suspect, but we ask anybody in the community that may have seen the incident or has information to please contact the Leon County Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible,” said Undersheriff Cave.
Deputies blocked the ramp to drivers as crime scene teams collected evidence and reviewed surveillance cameras in search of the suspect’s vehicle.
Two women and a man, who did not want to appear on camera, arrived at the scene visibly emotional. Paramedics were called to assist one of the women.
Undersheriff Cave says this is an ongoing investigation and the ramp will remain closed until further notice.
UPDATE: 9:20 p.m.
In an updated Facebook post on the Leon County Sheriff's Office page, Undersheriff Ron Cave says the department does not believe the shooting was random. Cave says based on their investigation and information they've gathered, LCSO believes the shooting was targeted. Cave says the sheriff's office is actively pursuing that information.
The Undersheriff also says one of the victims had to be life-flighted to Shands Hospital.
UPDATE: 8:15 p.m.
Two people are in the hospital after they were shot near the exit 203 ramp on I-10.
County Undersheriff Ron Cave provided a video update Friday evening. He says 3 vehicles were hit during the gunfire. He says both victims are currently being treated in the hospital. The suspect is still at-large.
A post from LCSO says the attack happened around 5:30. Deputies are still working the scene.
EARLIER:
Law enforcement blocked off the ramp near exit 203 of Interstate 10 eastbound in Leon County after a shooting situation there.
A spokesperson with the sheriff's office says gunfire happened early Friday evening. She confirmed 2 victims in the case and said the suspect is still on the loose. She added the suspect left the scene in a vehicle.
Deputies are currently collecting evidence by the ramp and searching cameras for the suspect's vehicle. Drivers should avoid using that exit at this time.
The sheriff's office says if you have information about this situation to call 850-606-5800.
Our team on scene captured these photos as law enforcement investigated:
This is a developing situation. We will post updates as we learn more.
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