Man arrested in turnpike shooting that injured 2, FHP says

Kwanza Jermaine Donald, 33, charged with 2 counts of attempted murder

CLERMONT, Fla. – Troopers arrested a man Sunday in connection with a shooting on Florida's Turnpike Saturday morning that left two people injured, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers said Kwanza Jermaine Donald, 33, contacted law enforcement officials Sunday and was interviewed. He was then placed under arrest.

The shooting happened near State Road 50 around 10:15 a.m. Saturday and left a 37-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, both from Miami, injured, troopers said.

The FHP said the victims were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with gunshot wounds after 12 shots were fired at their car. Both victims were expected to be released.

Officials initially said the shooting was believed to have been a case of road rage. They looked at surveillance videos then began searching for a gray Toyota Camry, from which the shots were fired, which was registered to Donald..

Troopers said during his interview, Donald told them he'd been driving back and forth between Texas and Florida recently and that on his drive Saturday, someone in a car similar to the victim's had shot at his vehicle while he was traveling through Georgia. He told officials he began firing at them because their car resembled the one from which he was shot at in Georgia.

Donald told officials he hadn't had a lot of sleep or food and that he was dehydrated.

During their search of Donald's vehicle, officials said they found a concealed weapon permit and a loaded Beretta 9mm in the glove box.

The FHP said that while there were 12 rounds that struck the victims' car, Donald admitted to firing three rounds.

Officials said Donald continue to report that people were trying to kill him, but that he couldn't provide any evidence.

Donald has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this story.


About the Author

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

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