Florida Man Accidentally Shoots at Wrong Vehicle Five Times after Road Rage Incident
A Florida man who fired at least five bullets at the wrong vehicle following a road rage incident is facing multiple criminal charges, including aggravated assault.
Dakota Haber, 24, of Odessa, was detained by deputies from the Pasco Sheriff's Office following the alleged outburst, which took place after a "physical confrontation" with another driver at the front gates of the Swan View Townhomes complex on Tuesday evening, police said.
According to an arrest report circulated to local media, first reported by WFTX, the incident was a violent case of mistaken identity which had escalated quickly at roughly 8:30 p.m. after the suspect and the initial victim retreated to their cars and entered the complex.
Police said after parking his vehicle, Haber retrieved a handgun from inside his car because he believed that he was being followed by the victim. He shot multiple rounds from a distance of at least 50 years.
However, it quickly emerged he was shooting at a different car that was being driven by a woman unrelated to the first confrontation. The second victim "was inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting and had nothing to do with the previous incident," Pasco Sheriff's Office noted.
The second victim had previously been stuck in traffic trying to enter the complex. She was taken to hospital to be treated after being injured by glass from her shattered window.
The arrest report said Haber discharged at least least five rounds during the incident, three of which hit the second victim's car. "The victim advised she was placed in a well-founded fear while the shooting commenced and did not know the defendant," sheriff's deputies said.
The suspect fled the scene but later contacted law enforcement to say he was involved, the report noted. He allegedly admitted to the charges during questioning and was detained. The firearm was seized. He was transported to the Land O' Lakes detention facility without incident.
Haber allegedly told officers he was shooting at the vehicle because he believed the initial victim had attempted to kill him during their physical altercation outside the gates of the complex.
His arrest was confirmed using online inmate records, which said he was detained at 12:10 a.m. yesterday and booked into the jail on a $20,000 bond at 1:42 a.m. Additional charges included shooting a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle and carrying a concealed firearm.
In Florida, aggravated assault is a third degree felony which is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine, law firm Richard Hornsby says online.
