A deranged woman who opened fire on a Florida highway, killing two motorists, said it was because “God” told her to do it through a solar eclipse, police said.
Tyrone Nichelle Celestine, 22, left a motel in Holmes County on Monday and told motel employees that “God” had instructed her to go on a shooting spree in connection with the total solar eclipse. Even if the Sunshine State isn’t near the eclipse’s path. astronomical phenomenon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Celestine was driving a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia license plates when he entered Interstate 10 at the 112 mile mark and continued for 8 miles after entering the Washington County freeway. and began firing at other vehicles within the area.
She allegedly fired several shots at passing cars on the interstate. The male driver of the car was grazed in the arm by a bullet and was hit by glass shards when the bullet broke a window, the agency said.
He pulled over on the shoulder of the highway, but Celestin continued driving, police said.
The reckless gunman, reportedly armed with both an assault rifle and a handgun, continued westbound on Interstate 10 and struck a second vehicle near the 167-mile market, according to the Highway Patrol. shots were fired at the vehicle.
The driver was shot in the neck and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, the agency said.
Celestin continued driving until a highway patrol caught up with him at mile marker 96 and pulled over.
Officers reportedly recovered an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun from the Challenger.
She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Holmes County Jail, where she was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm.
It is unclear which guns she allegedly used to shoot the other driver or whether they were obtained legally.
Investigation is ongoing.
