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A Florida man who allegedly chased a vehicle with four people inside and opened fire during a road rage incident has been arrested.
Nicholas Andrew Tothero He was arrested on April 29 and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, armed possession of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license, according to police. Press release Shared by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened near the intersection of Highway 92 and Wiggins Road around 3:14 p.m. Someone in the car called 911 to report that a man was following their vehicle and “actively shooting at them.” The caller also said there were four people in the car, including a child. The caller remained on the phone with dispatchers as the chase continued down the parkway and onto the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 4.
Tothero, 33, followed the victims onto Interstate 4 and continued shooting at the vehicle and followed them eastbound after they exited the county line road. Officers eventually located the target vehicle and determined it had been shot multiple times.
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“This reckless and violent behavior put the lives of multiple innocent people on our roadways at risk,” the Sheriff said. Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We will not tolerate violence in our community.”
An investigation into the incident was launched and detectives identified Tothero as the suspect. He was taken into custody the night of the pursuit and allegedly admitted to firing multiple rounds into the vehicle. He also reportedly told investigators that he fired with the intent to kill.
“After Miranda, the defendant stated that the victim stopped him and brake-checked him twice,” prosecutors wrote in a motion asking that Tothero be held without bail. law and crime. “He admitted he intended to kill the driver. He admitted he had no remorse.”
Other findings from the investigation, disclosed in a probable cause affidavit, include the discovery of a loaded firearm from Tothero’s vehicle shortly after the shooting. Additionally, detectives found a Taurus TH9C 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a vape pen containing a substance consistent with marijuana resin in the driver’s seat of his car.
Investigators learned Tothero was driving with a suspended license at the time of the pursuit, and records show his license had been suspended weeks earlier for financial reasons.
Tothero is being held without bail at the Hillsborough County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 4.
It was unclear whether Tothero had entered a plea or hired an attorney since his arrest. There was no immediate response from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. US WeeklyRequested comment when asked for an update on the case.