A local real estate agent posted harrowing footage of a suspect randomly firing a gun out of his truck window Monday morning before crashing and being taken into custody.
Rodneshia LaShay wrote that she was driving to a showing on I-95 South when she saw Samual Gardner, 62, driving erratically in a red truck and firing off rounds.
She captured video of Gardner that clearly shows a gun sticking out from his driver’s side window as he swerved back and forth across the roadway.
“He could have shot me!” she wrote “Lord thank you for covering me this morning. Currently sitting on the side of the road crying tears of gratitude.If you are on 95 South in St John’s County please be aware!!!!”
LaShay was one of several stunned motorists who called 911 to report Gardner’s actions.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant George Harrigan said Gardner’s terror trip began in Duval County before proceeding into St. Johns.
Deputies attempted to pull him over, but Gardner kept driving until he struck another vehicle and flipped his car on the side of the freeway. The other driver was not hurt.
Harrigan confirmed that Gardner fired off several shots while driving — and at one point aimed his firearm at pursuing deputies.
Assuming that he still had his weapon, deputies used a K-9 to engage Gardner before taking him into custody.
He was airlifted to a local trauma center where he remained as of Monday afternoon.
Harrigan said investigators are trying to determine the sequence of events that led to Monday’s incident.
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.
“If you captured video or photos of the vehicle or occupant please share them with investigators here: https://stjohnscountyso.evidence.com/…/i95armedsubjecti…,” the department said. “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.”
