Florida – A Florida man was taken into custody several days after he became a suspect in a shooting incident involving his former girIfriend and her chiIdren. According to Florida authorities, officers responded to reports of a shooting last week and learned that a 7-year-old child had been rushed to a local hospitaI for a gunshot wound.
The investigation revealed that the defendant, 32-year-old Sammy, confronted his former girIfriend at a local restaurant, accusing her of having another maIe in her car. The woman denied the accusation, stating she was with her children. The defendant became extremely irate, prompting her to leave the establishment with her children. He followed them in his vehicle, attempting to run them off the road. During the pursuit, he fired multiple rounds into the air and eventually pulled alongside the woman’s vehicle, brandishing a firearm. The woman heard a shot, followed by her child’s scream. The child was struck in the back and was treated for a gunshot wound to the shouIder.
The 32-year-old man fled the scene and went into hiding. The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division worked tirelessly over several days to track him down. On Aug. 11, investigators spotted the defendant leaving an apartment in Florida and entering a vehicle. A coordinated effort by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, SWAT team, and the United States Marshals Service led to his apprehension without incident. A search revealed he was carrying fentanyI, hydrocodone, OxyContin, meth and a small amount of marijuana.
Further investigation uncovered the involvement of 31-year-old Riki. The woman reportedly aided the defendant’s escape by driving him away from the scene, allowing him to hide at her residence, and helping him dispose of the firearm used in the shooting. She was arrested the same day as the man.
The defendant now faces a litany of serious charges, including four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and into an occupied conveyance, tampering with evidence, grand theft of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, multiple drug possession charges, and hit and run for leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held without bond at the county jail.
The 32-year-old woman faces charges of accessory after the fact to a second-degree felony, violation of probation, and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams. She is in custody at the county jail on a $100,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office commended the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved in the investigation and apprehension of the suspects. Sheriff Tommi emphasized the importance of community safety and the commitment of law enforcement to hold individuals accountable for violent crimes.
The 7-year-old child is expected to recover from his injuries. The Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
