Five Florida men are in jail on charges related to a shooting on Friday night that left a 25-year-old man in critical condition.
Trinton Alexander Lee, Junior Louis, Zikevious Knowles, and Daniel Mabry are all in the Hardee County jail awaiting extradition back to Highlands County to face charges of attempted first-degree murder, firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, and using a two-way device to facilitate a felony.
A fifth man, Jasiah Sison, is being held on a violation of probation charge.
According to deputies, the shooting occurred at the intersection of SR 66 and S. Orange Blossom Blvd. and was reported to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office at 6:42 p.m.
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Within minutes, a red Ford 500, which according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, was seen at the scene of the shooting, was located in Hardee County and pursued by Hardee County Sheriff’s Office units.
Deputies say the car was involved in a crash in Wauchula, and the five men in the car were taken into custody.
Just four blocks away from the crash scene, Send Me Missions, a local non-profit organization, had just started their 5K race with more than 500 people participating.
Runners of all ages filled the streets. Deputies were aware this race was taking place and recognized that the threat of danger to the pedestrians would be immense if the vehicle continued in the direction of the race.
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“The deputies’ swift actions to disable the vehicle not only allowed the capture of the suspects but also avoided what could have been a much more tragic ending,” said Hardee County Sheriff’s Office. “Sheriff Vent Crawford is thankful deputies were able to stop the suspects where they were and the lives of innocent bystanders were protected. This was the best ending to an already terrible situation.”
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