TAMPA, Fla. — A 4-year-old girl is in the hospital after police say she was shot during a road rage incident Tuesday evening in Tampa.
Following a search after the shooting, authorities say they arrested 34-year-old James Jackson.
At around 6:13 p.m., officers arrived at the 3000 block of North 50th Street following reports of a shooting, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release.
Authorities say Jackson, who was driving a white Kia Optima, got in a fight on the road with people inside a white sedan. When the driver stopped at a red light to turn south onto 50th Street, Jackson pulled alongside the other car. He then shot at the people inside the car, striking the 4-year-old, who was a passenger in the rear seat.
Police say the 4-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital. She is "stable" and expected to make a full recovery after being shot in the leg.
The other people in the car with the girl – the 30-year-old woman driver, a man in his late 20s and an 8-year-old girl – were not hurt during the incident.
"Our thoughts are with the little girl who was injured in this senseless act and our Victim's Advocate will be working closely with the family to ensure they are connected to any resources they may need," Tampa Chief of Police Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "Thanks to the swift efforts taken by all the responding and investigating officers, the suspect was quickly taken off the street before he could harm another member of our community."
After the shooting, Jackson reportedly drove away, but his car was found near 56th Street and East Hillsborough Avenue around 7:42 p.m. Police stopped his car at Spectrum Boulevard and East Fowler Avenue and arrested him.
The police department says a gun that was tossed from Jackson's car was recovered.
The 34-year-old was interviewed by investigators. Jackson faces the following charges:
- Attempted murder with great bodily harm
- Three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated battery with great bodily harm
- Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Fleeing to elude
- Resisting officer without violence
- Possession of cannabis
- Possession of cannabis with intent to sell/deliver
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
The investigation of the shooting remains ongoing.