TAMPA, Fla. – A morning commute turned into a scene of highway danger on Wednesday after a driver involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the Selmon Expressway exit ramp allegedly opened fire. Tampa Police have arrested the driver, identified as Kevin Arriola, 29, charging him with multiple felonies, including First Degree Attempted Murder.
The incident occurred around 8:05 a.m. near the westbound exit of the Selmon Expressway onto East Kennedy Boulevard. According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), Arriola, driving a 2010 gray Mazda 3, was operating his vehicle erratically along the exit ramp before colliding with several other cars.
Following the crashes, Arriola reportedly exited his vehicle, armed with a gun, and fired shots toward a 2017 red Chrysler 300. Remarkably, no serious injuries were reported either from the crashes or the subsequent shooting.
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Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) located and detained Arriola a short distance from the scene. TPD officers then took custody of Arriola and the ongoing investigation.
“This was an extremely dangerous and senseless situation that could have easily resulted in tragedy,” said Chief Bercaw. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the actions of the deputies who quickly took the suspect into custody before anyone was seriously hurt.”
Arriola faces severe charges, including First Degree Attempted Murder; Aggravated Battery with a Firearm; Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony; and Shooting at/into a Vehicle.
The investigation remains active, and authorities stated that additional details may be released as they become available.
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