A 31-year-old man was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly shot at another vehicle during a road rage incident on U.S. Highway 19 in Homosassa.
On Tuesday, March 5, the victim was driving northbound on U.S. Highway 19 in the outside (right) lane when another vehicle intentionally swerved and struck the victim’s vehicle on the passenger side, according to the sheriff’s office.
After the impact, the victim told investigators that he heard a “low tone boom” that sounded like a gunshot. CCSO stated that the victim feared for their safety after realizing that their vehicle had been struck by a bullet, and the victim proceeded to briefly lose control of the vehicle.
The suspect’s vehicle then passed the victim while driving on the shoulder of the roadway. According to the sheriff’s office, the victim described the suspect as a white man in his mid-30s with a trimmed brown beard, and he was driving a newer model (2017-2022) Jeep with unknown Florida plates and black rims.
A CCSO detective immediately launched an investigation into the shooting incident. After reviewing video surveillance footage from the area, which captured both vehicles involved in the incident, the detective managed to secure still shots from the video of the male suspect and his vehicle.
The sheriff’s office quickly issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the suspect and his vehicle. An anonymous tip helped the detective determine that Tyler Grimison was a possible suspect.
Grimison agreed to meet law enforcement in Crystal River, where probable cause was established for his arrest. A search warrant was soon obtained for his residence, and investigators seized a firearm from the home that they believed to be used in the shooting, according to CCSO.
After being placed under arrest, Grimison was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with shooting into an occupied conveyance, discharging a firearm in public, and criminal mischief.
“Road rage incidents can escalate quickly and have tragic consequences,” stated Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast in a social media post on Friday. “Our agency takes these incidents very seriously and will continue to dedicate resources to investigate and hold offenders accountable.”