A man in Palm Coast, Florida, was shot after intervening in a road rage incident involving two other parties at a McDonald’s drive-thru. No arrests have been confirmed, and the aforementioned man survived and is in stable condition.
According to a press release issued by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), the incident occurred on Tuesday, May 26. At around 10:20 p.m., FCSO deputies responded to a McDonald’s located on Belle Terre Parkway after receiving calls of a shooting, a road rage incident, and a reckless driver.
Deputies arrived at the scene and found a 61-year-old man from Daytona North who had suffered a facial injury and multiple gunshot wounds. Additionally, a 50-year-old man from Palm Coast was identified as the one who fired the weapon, the FCSO said.
The victim was treated on scene and airlifted to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The alleged shooter was also transported to a local facility for evaluation and treatment.
Deputies Interview Witnesses
The release detailed that responding FCSO deputies interviewed multiple witnesses present in the area. An initial investigation determined that a road rage incident had ocurred before the shooting.
As per the FCSO, the road rage incident occurred between the shooter and other individuals on Belle Terrre Parkway. This would then escalate at the McDonald’s mentioned above.
The other individuals mentioned were not involved in the actual shooting. No further information was shared by the sheriff’s office, but one of the parties involved provided some more details days later.
911 Call From Party Involved
A woman talked with The Daytona Beach News-Journal. According to her, one vehicle, a Kia Soul, cut her off at the McDonald’s drive-thru. The man who was behind the wheel was the man who allegedly fired the shots later.
She detailed that she was in the middle of a 911 call at the time. She was reporting that the driver had stopped in the drive-thru, blocking her from moving forward. Allegedly, he also got out of his car and threatened her.
However, the man eventually moved, according to her. But as she was on the call with the dispatcher, three shots were fired. As per the report, the 50-year-old man had intervened during the road rage incident, an action that preceded the shooting.
Sheriff Reacts
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly detailed that deputies, detectives, and crime scene investigators worked through the night, still investigating the issue. All persons involved have been identified, and Sheriff Staly said there was no threat to the community.
He did say that drivers should just call law enforcement if they encounter a road rage incident while on the road. It is a much better alternative, he said, than engaging with the parties involved, referencing the 50-year-old man who is now hospitalized.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident as of May 27. Those with information were asked to call the non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).