FHP arrest Lehigh Acres driver accused of shooting at another car

Writer: Carolina Guzman
Published: Updated:
Francisco Gonzalez Credit: The Collier County Sheriff’s Office

A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting into another car on Interstate 75 in Collier County and fleeing the scene.

On May 5, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a reported shooting at mile marker 53 on I-75 at approximately 5:09 p.m.

The suspect’s vehicle was described as a black Infiniti QX80, while the victim’s vehicle was a Toyota Tundra towing a U-Haul trailer.

According to FHP, “The driver of the Tundra was driving south on Alligator Alley (I-75) when the black Infiniti QX80 cut him off. A back-and-forth road rage incident ensued, which led to gunshots being fired from the Infiniti.”

The suspect had his spouse and stepson inside the car at the time of the shooting. He claimed that he did what he did to protect his family.

According to FHP, 44-year-old Francisco Gonzalez of Lehigh Acres fired multiple shots from inside his vehicle, breaking out the rear window of his car and striking the Toyota, then fleeing the scene.

On Tuesday, troopers located Gonzalez at the Infiniti of Fort Myers Dealership, attempting to obtain vehicle service for a scheduled appointment. 

Troopers arrested Gonzalez and booked him into the Collier County Jail.

Gonzalez is being charged with three counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle and into another car and aggravated assault.

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