PALATKA, Fla. – An incident Saturday at a traffic light near Palatka led to a shootout and high-speed chase, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said two cars -- a silver Toyota and a gray Nissan Altima -- were stopped at the intersection of Edgemoor Avenue and Silver Lake Drive, west of Palatka, when either the Toyota backed into the Nissan or the Nissan rammed the Toyota. Witnesses told police that after the incident, the Nissan began to chase the Toyota and the occupants of the two cars began shooting at each other.
Recommended Videos
According to witnesses, shots were fired from the right rear seat passenger of the Toyota as the driver of the Nissan returned fire as he chased the Toyota. There were no reported injuries from the gunfire between the two cars, but the Nissan ended up with four bullet holes in it.
The chase continued eastbound on Silver Lake Drive, northbound on Westover Drive, across Crill Avenue and ended in a parking lot on Palm Avenue, deputies said.
The chase ended when two passengers jumped out of the Toyota and the driver sped away.
The driver and passenger of the Nissan also jumped out and captured Adrian Antwon Hall, 18 of Palatka, who was reportedly the right rear seat passenger in the Toyota, who had been firing at the Nissan.
They held Hall until officers from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and the Palatka Police Department arrived. Hall was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Deputies recovered a .380 caliber handgun at the scene ,which was reportedly thrown down by Hall. The Toyota was found later on Husson Avenue in Palatka. It had no apparent bullet holes. Detectives were securing a search warrant to more thoroughly search the Toyota.
Hall was booked into the Putnam County Jail and then released after posting $5,008 bond.
The handgun recovered at the scene had been stolen last November from an unlocked pickup truck off Old Peniel Road west of Palatka, deputies said.
Detectives are continuing to interview suspects and witnesses and expect more arrests in the near future.