TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Tarpon Springs Police are investigating a road rage incident that culminated in a shooting Saturday night.
- Incident occurred around 10:30 p.m.
- Driver fired after motorcyclists surrounded his vehicle, blocked escape route
- Driver said he feared for his safety, safety of child in the car
- More Pinellas County stories
Investigators said a man was driving a black Mercedes with his 9-year-old son in the car southbound on U.S. 19. A group of motorcyclists were in front of them.
"There was a group of motorcyclists that were doing almost a rolling roadblock type of thing where they were slowing down so other motorcyclists could do tricks in front of them," said Major Jeffrey Young with Tarpon Springs Police.
The man told police when he tried to go around them, they started kicking his car and followed him when he turned on Klosterman Avenue.
The situation escalated with the man and his son got stuck at a traffic light.
"At that point, 15-20 motorcyclists surrounded his vehicle and impeded his escape route. They started striking his vehicle," said Major Young. "He was in fear for his safety as well as that of this child. They did damage his vehicle and he wound up shooting outside his driver's window."
Resident Donald Bingler lives near where it happened and heard the commotion.
"We were startled by the noise. I immediately recognized it as gun shots," he explained. "My girlfriend woke up right afterwards, our dog started barking. At first we were hesitant to look out the window because I didn't want to get shot by anybody who might be patrolling the area and then the vehicles just flew by here."
Police said the motorcyclists fled the scene and the driver called 911.
A motorcyclist who was shot in the arm took himself to the hospital for treatment.
No arrests have been made.
Police are looking for the other people involved.
Anyone with information or surveillance video is being asked to call Detective Lemmon with the Tarpon Springs Police Department at 727-938-2849, Ext. 1636.