A dangerous I-4 road rage shooting targeted a car with a child inside, and hit the victims’ vehicle multiple times.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Center recently received a call reporting a shooting near the intersection of Highway 92 and Wiggins Road. The caller reported that a man, later identified as 33-year-old Nicolas Totherow, was following their vehicle and actively shooting at them.
The caller told dispatchers there were a total of four people inside their vehicle, including a child. They remained on the line while Totherow continued following them northbound on Park Road and onto the Interstate 4 eastbound on-ramp.
Totherow continued to follow and discharge his firearm before ultimately continuing eastbound on I-4 as the victims exited onto County Line Road.
Deputies located the victims shortly after and confirmed their vehicle had been struck by gunfire multiple times. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified Totherow as the shooter.
Detectives located Totherow and took him into custody. A firearm was recovered from his vehicle. During an interview, Totherow admitted to firing multiple rounds at the victims’ vehicle and stated he intended to kill the driver.
According to local law enforcement, Totherow was charged with: Attempted Murder in the First Degree Premeditated Firearm – Discharge, Aggravated Battery Great Bodily Harm Firearm – Discharge (x4), Discharge Firearm from a Vehicle, Shooting at Within or Into a Vehicle, Armed Possession of Controlled Substance, and Driving While License Canceled, Suspended, or Revoked.
“This reckless and violent behavior put multiple innocent lives at risk on our roadways,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Thanks to the quick actions of our Communications Center and the coordinated response of our deputies and detectives, this suspect was taken into custody before anyone was killed. We will not tolerate violence in our community.”
