ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) — Zephyrhills police said this story starts at the Wawa off of Gall Boulevard.
That’s where Chief Derek Brewer said the victim told 46-year-old Quinson Croson that he should not get behind the wheel, as the victim thought Croson was intoxicated.
“He was trying to keep him from hurting himself or hurting someone else, showed some compassion,” Brewer explained. “He was really trying to do the right thing.”
“For whatever reason, the suspect took that as some sort of disrespect,” he continued.
Brewer said the victim and his co-worker got into their waste connections garbage truck and tried driving away while Croson chased them.
“Chill bro,” the victim could be heard yelling from the dump truck.
The chief said, Croson then grabbed a gun despite the victim’s efforts to de-escalate the situation.
“He was trying to avoid getting involved in any kind of conflict,” Brewer said.
News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, “But, then, he was met with gunshots?’
“He was,” the chief responded.
Brewer said Croson fired multiple rounds at the garbage truck, hitting the victim in his right arm.
During the pursuit, the SUV hit the garbage truck, opening the truck’s passenger-side door and ejecting the victim’s coworker.
Rogers asked, “Whether it’s an argument or road rage, what would be your message to anyone considering using a gun for violence?”
“Take a deep breath,” Brewer said. “Step back.”
“Evaluate,” he continued. “One moment of being angry doesn’t have to turn into a life-altering decision.”
Rogers asked, “What is just your message just to anyone who might be considering drinking and driving either this 4th of July weekend or even just in the future?”
“Yeah, obviously impaired driving creates the possibility for people to make poor judgment, and certainly we saw that in this incident,” Brewer said. “Law enforcement nationwide doesn’t want to see anyone victimized, the driver or anybody else.”
Croson was later located in Hillsborough County and arrested.
He is charged with two counts of Attempted Homicide and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
