JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man had a 8-year-old child in his car Monday night when he shot at another car in a high-speed chase, police said.
Police said the father was driving a black Chevrolet Camaro with his child inside and collided with a silver Kia with four people inside at Dunn Avenue and Interstate 295. The victim told police he was merging onto Dunn Avenue when the crash happened.
The victims told police the driver of the Camaro, who was identified as 31-year-old Rodrick Hobbs, began driving aggressively while holding a gun in his left hand out the window.
The suspect driver of the Camaro chased and shot at the victims’ car on I-295 to I-10, police said. The chase continued to the Cassat Avenue exit of I-10.
The victims told JSO the driver fired multiple times at the Kia during the chase, with the final shot at the Cassat Avenue exit.
The victims called police at about 7:15 p.m. after they noticed that the car was no longer following them.
JSO said the Kia had a hole in the bumper that appeared to be caused by a gunshot. Officers found a hard hat in the trunk with a small hole through it and a projectile, which appeared to be a bullet, resting inside, JSO said.
The father called police at about 7:20 p.m. to report a hit-and-run crash involving his Camaro. Hobbs told police that he followed the Kia to get the tag number and type of car.
Hobbs told JSO that there was a gun in the trunk of his car and gave officers consent to search it.
JSO said officers found a shell casing on the exit ramp from I-10 to Cassat Avenue, where the victims said the last shot was fired. The suspect’s Camaro had damage to the front fender, which did not match any damage to the victim’s car, JSO said.
No injuries were reported.
The victims positively identified Hobbs as the driver of the Camaro, JSO said. Hobbs later confessed to the shooting, JSO said.
Hobbs is charged with shooting and throwing deadly missiles into an occupied dwelling. He had his first court appearance Tuesday and a $150,000 bond was set.
The Florida Department of Children and Families says they are investigating the incident..
There have been more than a half-dozen road rage incidents reported locally the last month.
Car windows were shot by a BB gun April 29 on I-295 near I-95 on Jacksonville's Southside. Days later, a semitruck driver was shot and killed on I-10. Police are still hunting for that suspect, whom they believe was driving an orange cab with a white trailer.
A week later, someone shot at three cars in three separate locations on I-295, and a man was shot in the arm by another driver on I-95.
Experts say that if you’re in a road-rage incident, don’t stop. Call 911 and stay on the phone the entire time.
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