1 arrest made after road rage shooting that left young girl injured in Hillsborough County
HCSO update on road rage shooting that left teenager injured
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested a suspect on suspicion of opening fire during a road rage incident in Riverview that left a juvenile female injured.
RIVERVIEW, Florida. – A man was arrested after authorities said he fired two shots at a car, hitting a 16-year-old girl, during a driving rage incident in Hillsborough County.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Rasool Abdul Hakeem admitted to firing his gun twice during a road rage incident Tuesday afternoon.
According to officials, two vehicles were traveling north in the area of 4202 Falkenburg Road in Riverview around 5 p.m. when an altercation occurred.
READ: 16-year-old hospitalized after rampage shooting in Hillsborough County: deputies
Then, according to HCSO, Hakeem fired two shots at the vehicle containing a 16-year-old girl. She was struck by one bullet and taken to Tampa General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputy Police Chief Joseph Maurer said the bullet grazed the girl’s chin and injured her shoulder.
“You’re talking about inches. It was her chin. If it had been a few inches higher, it could have been murder,” he added.
Mug shot of Rasool Abdul Hakeem courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Maurer, the victim’s vehicle was driven by her 18-year-old sister. Maurer added that the two were on their way to Giunta Middle School to pick up their younger sister.
Maurer noted there were three crime scenes: the scene where the shots were fired, the scene where the suspect initially attempted to flee but then stopped and called 911, and Giunta Middle School, where other people called 911 from.
Maurer added that some of the emergency callers initially assumed it was a school shooting.
According to HCSO, the suspect told officers the victim rammed his car, but Maurer said that was not true.
Hakeem was charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and shooting at or into a vehicle.
“Firing his weapon at another vehicle is simply reckless and unacceptable,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This suspect had no regard for human life during this completely avoidable interaction.”
According to Maurer, Hakeem was arrested for domestic violence in 2014. However, he was unsure if Hakeem had been convicted, so it was unclear if he was allowed to possess a firearm.
The investigation is ongoing.
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