Seminole County detectives are investigating a road rage shooting incident in unincorporated Longwood that claimed the life of a motorist early Wednesday morning.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1700 block of Rutledge Road in reference to shots being fired. A male shooter had called 911 to report that he had shot a motorist following a traffic dispute, according to SCSO.
Detectives launched an investigation into the shooting, which revealed that two motorists were both armed with handguns when they got into an argument over a traffic-related incident that had occurred near the entrance of the Mandarin Estates subdivision.
According to the sheriff’s office, the decedent proceeded to point his firearm at the other motorist, who responded by aiming his own firearm at the decedent before firing multiple rounds.
The decedent sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. His handgun was found in the roadway.
“The decedent’s name is being withheld pending family notification,” said SCSO in a media release on Wednesday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office added that the decedent and shooter both had a legitimate reason for being in the subdivision at the time of the incident.
Immediately after shots were fired, the shooter called law enforcement and remained at the incident location. SCSO stated that the shooter was questioned by detectives and is being cooperative with the ongoing investigation.
After being questioned about the incident, the shooter was released by law enforcement under provisions of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. According to SCSO, the State Attorney’s Office is not filing charges at this time.
Detectives are continuing to canvass the neighborhood where this shooting occurred. If anyone has additional information regarding this case, including any surveillance or camera footage that may have captured the incident or events leading up to it, please contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-665-6650.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).