Man is accused of shooting at a vehicle during a violent incident on I-75

FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS12) – According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a man who shot at another vehicle during a road rage incident said he did so to protect his family.

According to FHP, the incident occurred on May 5 around 5 p.m. The victim, who was driving a black Toyota Tundra with a U-Haul trailer attached, reported that someone in a black Infiniti QX80 shot at him.

The investigation revealed that the victim was driving on I-75 when the black Infiniti, driven by Francisco Gonzalez, suddenly cut off the victim’s path. According to the FHP, the two had a heated argument on the street that resulted in shots being fired.

Gonzalez, 44, in Infinity, left the scene while the victim stopped to contact law enforcement.

See also: Multiple agencies respond to officer-involved shooting in Fort Pierce

On May 14, investigators with the FHP Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) determined that the suspect vehicle was being serviced at a dealership. Officers responded to the scene and were able to identify Gonzalez as the driver.

When questioned by investigators, he said he felt the victim had almost killed him and his family by driving in his lane. Gonzalez continued, “He did what he did to defend his wife and stepson, who were also in the vehicle at the time.”

FHP says after investigators spoke with everyone involved and reviewed all of the evidence, they were able to determine that “Gonzalez’s claim that he stood his ground to protect his family was unfounded.”

Gonzalez was taken to the Collier County Jail where he is charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle, shooting or throwing a missile into a dwelling and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.