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'Road rage' bullet on I-4 came within inches of young woman's head, sheriff asking for tips

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Published  February 20, 2025 3:12pm EST
Polk County
FOX 13 News

Woman grazed by bullet on I-4

Evyn Moon reports.

The Brief

    • Polk deputies are searching for a suspect accused of shooting a gun on I-4 and asking for the public's help.
    • Investigators said a bullet went through the window of a woman's truck and grazed her head.
    • PCSO says someone heading eastbound on Interstate 4 around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday fired the shots.

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - A 22-year-old woman came just inches away from being shot in the head while driving along I-4 in Polk County on Wednesday afternoon between Polk City and Auburndale when a stray bullet shot across the interstate. 

I4 highway where the shooting happened.

I-4 highway where the shooting happened.

Polk County deputies are still searching for the suspected shooter who fired on the truck and grazed the passenger’s head. 

The backstory:

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a woman called 911 shortly after 3:45 p.m. and reported that a projectile came through the driver’s side window of her truck while she was heading west on Interstate 4.

She was in the area between the on- and off-ramps of State Road 559, driving a white 2002 Toyota Tacoma with the Orkin logo.

After the shooting, she was taken to an area hospital, where she was treated and released. 

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Investigators say it appears that the round was fired from someone heading eastbound on Interstate 4 at the same time. 

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say it appears that the round was fired by someone heading eastbound on Interstate 4 around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday in the area between the on and off ramp of State Road 559, between Polk City and Auburndale. Map is courtesy of the Polk

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They added that there is no evidence to suggest that the gun was fired by someone on the ground alongside the highway.

What they're saying:

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd believes this was an instance of extreme road rage.

With no leads from phone calls or video, they’re asking the public for help.

"Somebody's stupid conduct almost cost a 22-year-old, beautiful young female's life who was just doing her job," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "A bullet came from someplace, but the good lord was with her. It actually blew the hat apart that she was wearing, but it did very little damage to her. Just fractions of an inch, and we would have a victim of a homicide."

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The victim was working, and the bullet didn’t seem targeted at her as she was not involved in any inappropriate conduct or reckless driving behavior.

Judd says he is surprised they have gotten no calls about sounds of gunfire or anyone having seen violent road rage that afternoon. 

"There were no calls to the Florida Highway Patrol from anyone during that period of time. So we are just at a loss. We know a lot of business trucks have cameras, a lot of personal vehicles have cameras, and maybe somebody captured something on their video."

What you can do:

Anyone who was traveling on I-4, either east or west, at that time, and saw something suspicious is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

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Anyone with information on this crime and who wishes to remain anonymous is asked to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)
  • Dial **TIPS from your cell phone
  • Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip,"
  • Download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

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