ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Less than a week after 19 vehicles were shot at along I-4 in Central Florida, authorities in Orange and Osceola counties said they responded Monday to more reports of gunfire on I-4.
Officials with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 6:30 a.m. to several calls during which drivers reported that their vehicles were struck by gunfire on westbound I-4 near the Osceola-Orange county line.
Investigators said two of the shootings happened at 4:45 a.m. on Monday.
One of the victims is a Disney employee, according to investigators.
Deputies said they spoke with four victims --each whose vehicle was shot within close proximity to the other victims. Two vehicles were hit in Osceola County and two were hit in Orange County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
One woman told investigators her car was hit by in the area of Osceola Parkway and Victory Way.
Another victim told deputies his car was hit in the area of Exit 65 on the westbound side of Interstate 4.
A Disney employee told investigators the car was hit in the area of Exit 68 on Interstate 4.
No one was injured. Osceola County deputies said the suspect vehicle is a dark-colored sedan and they are “pouring all available resources” into finding the suspect and increasing patrols.
This morning at around 5 a.m., deputies responded to the area of I-4 and the Osceola County line where four victims’ vehicles were struck by gunfire. No one was injured. If you were in the area and noticed anything suspicious, please contact law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/jKTg2Jv1s7
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) January 6, 2020
Osceola deputies said the incident Monday is not connected to the string of highway shootings on New Year’s Day. During that incident, a total of 19 vehicles were damaged by gunfire the evening of Jan. 1 while traveling on I-4 and I-95 from Seminole County to St. Augustine, according to officials from several law enforcement agencies.
Officials said it appears the culprit used a BB or pellet gun to shoot up the vehicles.
According to officials with the Florida Highway Patrol, they have what they believe is the suspect’s vehicle and it’s currently being processed for evidence. Investigators found BB pellets in the vehicle.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact their local law enforcement.
We ask anyone with information on this case to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222 or they can provide information through Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477, where information leading to a felony arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 dollars.
— Osceola Sheriff (@OsceolaSheriff) January 6, 2020