A woman in Florida claims she went on a shooting spree after being told to do so by God because of the total solar eclipse.
The Florida Highway Patrol announced in a news release that the active shooter situation began on Monday, April 8, as 22-year-old Taylon Nichelle Celestine entered Florida’s Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker driving a purple Challenger.
Celestine, a Georgia native, allegedly began firing “multiple shots into another vehicle” within 5 miles of entering the interstate after telling hotel staff she was going on a shooting spree “directed by God in relation to the solar eclipse.”
According to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, authorities became aware of the shooting spree after reports of someone “shooting into other vehicles” were made to Washington County Communications.
The police department said in a public advisory notice via Facebook that a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol witnessed Celestine exit the interstate and “head toward a rest area.”
“The vehicle then made a U-turn and attempted to get back on the interstate.
The Florida Highway Patrol states that an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun were recovered from Celestine’s vehicle, and she was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and improper discharge of a firearm.
The incident remains under ongoing investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence (BCII).
A Florida woman says that because of the total solar eclipse, God told her to go on a shooting rampage.
The active shooter situation started on Monday, April 8, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol. Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, drove a purple Challenger and entered Florida’s Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker.
After telling hotel staff she was going on a shooting spree “directed by God in relation to the solar eclipse,” Celestine, a native of Georgia, allegedly started firing “multiple shots into another vehicle” within five miles of getting on the interstate. “.
The driver was hit by “glass fragments from the window and grazed on the arm by a bullet,” according to the agency, which said that the bullets struck the passing vehicle “multiple times.”. “.
Near the 107-mile marker, Celestine is accused of opening fire at another vehicle, striking the driver in the neck, after the driver managed to escape by swerving onto the shoulder of the road.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office states that after Washington County Communications received reports of someone “shooting into other vehicles,” authorities learned about the shooting spree.
Celestine was observed by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper to leave the interstate and “head toward a rest area,” according to a public advisory notice posted on Facebook by the police department. “.
“After that, the car attempted to turn around and rejoin the interstate. The notice reads, “The suspect vehicle pulled over after the trooper initiated a traffic stop.”.
Celestine was “taken into custody without incident,” the department said, following the arrival of the police.
Celestine was accused of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm after the Florida Highway Patrol reports that an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun were found in her car.
There seem to be two victims at the moment. There is “no remaining threat to the community,” according to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, adding that “one has been cleared and released, and the other is receiving medical attention.”. “.
Inquiries for more information have been made to the department by PEOPLE.
The Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) of the Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident.
