A road rage incident on Thursday resulted in the arrest of a man who allegedly fired a weapon into the air near another vehicle traveling with a child inside. The Haines City Police Department (HCPD) responded to the incident near U.S. Highway 27 and Davenport Boulevard at approximately 7:55 a.m.
The victim, who was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 27 with a 3-year-old child in the back seat, reported that a white Lexus SUV pulled out in front of his vehicle, necessitating evasive action to avoid a collision.
After passing the Lexus, the victim reported that the SUV moved alongside his passenger side in the center lane, and multiple gunshots were heard. The victim immediately contacted 911 and provided law enforcement with the suspect’s license plate number.
Responding officers located three spent 9mm shell casings in the roadway. The license plate was traced to a vehicle registered to a female who was later determined not to be involved. HCPD detectives learned that the owner had permitted her friend, 46-year-old Charles Fitzalbert Worges, to drive the vehicle while she was at work.
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Further investigation involved reviewing footage from the victim’s in-car camera, which reportedly captured the suspect’s arm extending from the driver’s window with a firearm, followed by three visible puffs of smoke as rounds were discharged into the air.
Worges was subsequently located and arrested during a traffic stop conducted by the HCPD’s Crime Suppression Team. He was charged with Discharging a Firearm from Within a Vehicle (while being the driver and within 1,000 feet of another person) and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (without intent to kill).
“It’s a miracle that no one was seriously injured during this uncalled-for incident,” said Police Chief Jay Hopwood. “Not only for the driver and his 3-year-old, but also for everyone nearby. What goes up must come down — firing a weapon into the air is reckless and dangerous. Those stray bullets could have easily hurt or killed someone. People need to slow down, be patient, and drive responsibly so everyone can reach their destinations safely.”
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