JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An investigation into a road rage incident in Mandarin led to shots being fired at police as they pursed a suspect’s vehicle, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
According to Lt. Silcox, with the Sheriff’s Office, officers were dispatched to the road rage incident at about 4:52 p.m. on Loretto Road and San Jose Boulevard. He said investigators determined someone was parked at a red light when another person began shooting at him, striking his vehicle.
“Per the victim, no sort of altercation occurred to them. He does not know why the individual would shoot at him,” Silcox said.
Silcox said police were on scene investigating when, just before 5:30 p.m., the suspect drove by. A pursuit ensued.
“During the police pursuit, the suspect shot at police officers multiple times,” Silcox said. “No police officers and no police vehicles were struck.”
The chase lasted approximately six to seven minutes, Silcox said. He said a PIT maneuver was used to halt the suspect’s car on Mandarin Road.
According to Silcox, the vehicle crashed into a fence and the driver fled. He said there was a brief struggle, and the suspect was bitten by a police K-9.
Silcox said the suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening
The name of the suspect, a 28-year-old man, was not immediately released. Silcox said he facing a charge of attempted murder of a police officer.