Soooo... is this common in Florida?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,278
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From: Long Island
Soooo... is this common in Florida?
(nsfw language warning)
https://www.wesh.com/article/dash-ca...ounty/34196960
https://www.wesh.com/article/dash-ca...ounty/34196960
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —A dashcam caught a man shooting through his own windshield at another driver on the 417 in Orange County.
The man said he opened fire because the other driver flashed a gun at him first.
The driver, Marco Mazzetta, posted the video on YouTube. He said he was trying to defend himself because he believes he, or his passengers were in danger of being shot.
Florida Highway Patrol says it shows how dangerous it can be to argue with other drivers on the highway.
“You don’t know the mindset of the other driver that you might get involved in some kind of situation. A lot of people carry weapons in their cars. This could have really escalated to somebody getting shot, somebody getting killed,” Florida Highway Patrol’s Kim Montes said.
The in car-video shows another car driving aggressively. At one point, it gets extremely close to Mazzetta’s truck. He says he tapped the brakes and the other car bumped him then speeds around him.
Later, the second car slows down and Mazzetta says that driver pulled out a gun and pointed it at him.
That’s when Mazzetta says he took out his own gun and fired because he feared the other man, was going to shoot him.
Mazzetta did not want to do an interview but told WESH 2’s Bob Hazen through text, “I’m not a fan of guns; I’m a fan of not getting shot.
I know this video doesn’t capture my smartest moments but I hope any idiot criminal with a gun watching thinks twice before loading, brandishing & aiming their firearm at someone over a traffic infraction.”
He also says after the shooting he reported the incident himself to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The man said he opened fire because the other driver flashed a gun at him first.
The driver, Marco Mazzetta, posted the video on YouTube. He said he was trying to defend himself because he believes he, or his passengers were in danger of being shot.
Florida Highway Patrol says it shows how dangerous it can be to argue with other drivers on the highway.
“You don’t know the mindset of the other driver that you might get involved in some kind of situation. A lot of people carry weapons in their cars. This could have really escalated to somebody getting shot, somebody getting killed,” Florida Highway Patrol’s Kim Montes said.
The in car-video shows another car driving aggressively. At one point, it gets extremely close to Mazzetta’s truck. He says he tapped the brakes and the other car bumped him then speeds around him.
Later, the second car slows down and Mazzetta says that driver pulled out a gun and pointed it at him.
That’s when Mazzetta says he took out his own gun and fired because he feared the other man, was going to shoot him.
Mazzetta did not want to do an interview but told WESH 2’s Bob Hazen through text, “I’m not a fan of guns; I’m a fan of not getting shot.
I know this video doesn’t capture my smartest moments but I hope any idiot criminal with a gun watching thinks twice before loading, brandishing & aiming their firearm at someone over a traffic infraction.”
He also says after the shooting he reported the incident himself to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: IL
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: fl
Geez that's crazy. I assume by the time stamps on his cameras the police could get the license plate of the Z from the toll authority and find that guy as well. This happened in/around Orlando where things like this are less common, but south FL (Fort Lauderdale and Miami specifically) are typically among the worst in the country for gun-related road rage incidents in the country. I've lived in FL for 10+ years and driven extensively across the state and I've seen tons of road rage incidents and crazy driving in that 20 mile stretch from FLL to MIA. For those familiar with FL, if you're driving down the turnpike, things always seem to get "hairy" starting at the Hard Rock. I've seen some wild things in that short stretch.
The guy recording the video was doing some things to agitate the other guy who was trying to get around him so I'm not surprised at the swerving, etc the Z did to show he was not happy. I've learned it's typically best to just let people go if they're in that much of a hurry. Not worth it to me.
The guy recording the video was doing some things to agitate the other guy who was trying to get around him so I'm not surprised at the swerving, etc the Z did to show he was not happy. I've learned it's typically best to just let people go if they're in that much of a hurry. Not worth it to me.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: TX
Are they going to be charged with anything? The idiot that flashed a gun and another idiot that opened fire.. what if someone else was hit by a stray bullet? I'm all for protecting yourself, but maybe none of these idiots deserve to have a gun.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Southeastern PA
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Southeastern PA
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Oh, no....quite the opposite. What I meant by the comment is that it is usually better to simply ignore some things and avoid trouble in the first place. In my part of the country, particularly with its large population and sometimes-nearly-impossible-traffic-level, road-rage is fairly common, and there are occasional casualties. People sometimes do things that irritate me, too, particularly with V8 Mustangs and BMW 3-series, but I usually just shrug it off and go on. Life's too short.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 581
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From: Sofla
I reside in the Southernmost part of the state but lately I noticed all the crazy stuff has been happening in Central FL lol. A few months ago there was a crazy guy hanging off the hood of a tractor trailer speeding down the highway. Driver swerving to get him off but he was stuck like glue lol.
PS. This guy's CCW needs to be revoked. Here in South Florida, a few road rages has led to shoot out and casualties so there's that.
PS. This guy's CCW needs to be revoked. Here in South Florida, a few road rages has led to shoot out and casualties so there's that.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I reside in the Southernmost part of the state but lately I noticed all the crazy stuff has been happening in Central FL lol. A few months ago there was a crazy guy hanging off the hood of a tractor trailer speeding down the highway. Driver swerving to get him off but he was stuck like glue lol.
PS. This guy's CCW needs to be revoked.
PS. This guy's CCW needs to be revoked.
Florida, as I understand it, also has unusual laws about who is allowed to carry (and use) guns in certain circumstances. That was partly behind the notorious George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin incident and trial several years ago.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 581
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From: Sofla
The gun law here is extensive and not as cut and dry as most make it out to be. I assume many don't know the laws for CCW. I did my class last month and learned a lot and still have much to learn. You can't just whip out a gun anywhere, the laws in this state are very specific, it's the general public who are misinformed.
For example, if you're inside your house and noticed a guy breaking into your car outside, you aren't allowed to shoot. I also learned that you can't carry inside a bar either, exceptions are for restaurants that may have a bar but classify as a family restaurant. When inside those establishments you aren't allowed to sit at the bar and you must not consume alcohol. So again, having a CCW doesn't imply you can whip out anywhere per our state laws.
For example, if you're inside your house and noticed a guy breaking into your car outside, you aren't allowed to shoot. I also learned that you can't carry inside a bar either, exceptions are for restaurants that may have a bar but classify as a family restaurant. When inside those establishments you aren't allowed to sit at the bar and you must not consume alcohol. So again, having a CCW doesn't imply you can whip out anywhere per our state laws.