ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — Two men — a documented gang member and a former Zephyrhills Police officer — were arrested Monday in connection with a crash that apparently led to a physical confrontation and shots being fired at the driver of a vehicle, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
- Pasco deputy witnessed car, 2 motorcycles go by at high speed
- When car braked to turn, 1 bike struck car's rear end, ejecting rider
- Other rider dismounted, started punching car driver, fired shots inside the car
- More Pasco County stories
According to the agency, at around 6:13 p.m. Monday a Pasco Sheriff's deputy witnessed a Honda Civic driving south on Court Street at a high rate of speed with a motorcycle riding alongside and a second motorcycle close behind.
When the driver of the Civic slowed to turn onto C Avenue, the motorcycle following the Civic struck the car's rear end, ejecting the rider.
After the collision, the second motorcycle rider, identified as Christopher Shawn Fern, dismounted from his bike, approached the Civic and started punching the driver, who was still in the car. Fern then reportedly reached for a handgun in his waistband and fired a shot into the vehicle.
Fern, who investigators learned was a Zephyrhills Police officer for seven months between 2005 and 2006, was arrested and charged with attempted homicide and burglary with a battery therein.
The other motorcycle rider, Cory Alan Kitzler, who the Sheriff's Office identified as a "documented gang member," was arrested and charged for violation of probation, expired license, no motorcycle endorsement, and reckless driving.
The driver of the Civic reportedly only suffered minor injuries to the face. The investigation is ongoing.