FHP: Shots fired at vehicles on I-295 were from a pellet or air gun

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Four people were injured in one of three shootings on a Jacksonville interstate on Saturday.

Police are searching for whoever shot at three vehicles on a stretch of Interstate 295 between Philips Highway and Gate Parkway in what they are describing as highway violence.

Investigators determined that the shots fired at the drivers were from a pellet or air gun, said Florida Highway Patrol Dylan Bryan.

A passenger in one of the vehicles that was hit by gunfire Saturday night says it is a miracle he, his wife, brother and friend weren't more seriously hurt.

The 27-year-old was in a Chevrolet Aveo headed south on I-295 near Philips Highway when someone in a passing vehicle opened fire at their car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver swerved to avoid the gunshots. He ran off the roadway and hit a light pole, which caused the car to flip multiple times.

Police say all four escaped with minor cuts and bruises.

The 27-year-old, who did not want to be named, says there had been no confrontation with the vehicle and no one in the group was able to give a description of the suspect's car, which left the scene.

His wife told Action News that it all happened so fast she wasn't able to get a description of the suspects either.

"I looked to my left I saw the car and I saw somebody shooting us, but at that point they were hitting the driver side window," she said.

The people in the car told police that the shots came from the passenger side of the suspect vehicle.

Police say prior to the crash a Chevrolet Trailblazer and a Toyota Sienna were also shot at on I-295 near Gate Parkway, possibly by the same suspects.

The couple told us those victims pulled over on I-295 South when they saw the crash.

"One was a mini van with 3 young kids in the back and they had their back window shot out. The other was an SUV that got hit in the back," said the woman who was riding in the car that crashed and flipped.

The couple told us that their car is totaled and was towed to be investigated by police to determine what type of weapon was used.

The Florida Highway Patrol asks anyone with information about the incidents call troopers.

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