Murder charged after woman dies in Florida biker shootout
Ronald Donovan (Image: Polk County Sheriff's Office) (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida man is facing murder charges after a woman riding on his motorcycle died following a high-speed shootout with a rival biker gang, authorities said Saturday.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that the 33-year-old woman died hours after she was shot in the head early Friday in the gun battle on Interstate 4 between Lakeland and Orlando.
Ronald Donovan, who is jailed without bond, was scheduled to have an initial court appearance Saturday. Court records did not list an attorney for him.
Investigators said the shooting began when members of the Thug Riders passed the Sin City Deciples on the interstate. Donovan allegedly shot and wounded a Thug Rider in a battle between motorcycles at speeds of more than 100 mph, leaving bullet casings scattered on the highway.
Although Donovan is not accused of shooting his female companion, under Florida law committing certain felonies that result in an indirect death can be charged as murder.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Nothing beats getting after it in the weight room with your guys 💪 ▶ 1:33
Nothing beats getting after it in the weight room with your guys 💪
Shooting at Woodland Acres bar is 3rd incident in area since late March ▶ 1:10
Shooting at Woodland Acres bar is 3rd incident in area since late March
JSO searching for woman after man shot twice during fight at bar in Woodland Acres ▶ 0:58
JSO searching for woman after man shot twice during fight at bar in Woodland Acres
City Council committee subpoenas JEA CEO, top aide, and former counse ▶ 0:40
City Council committee subpoenas JEA CEO, top aide, and former counse
Everything you need to know about the inaugural Ironman Jacksonville competition ▶ 1:32
Everything you need to know about the inaugural Ironman Jacksonville competition
Woman pinned under truck that plowed through Palatka block party thankful to be alive ▶ 0:51
Woman pinned under truck that plowed through Palatka block party thankful to be alive
Loved ones gather at Naval Station Mayport as USS Cooperstown deploys ▶ 0:44
Loved ones gather at Naval Station Mayport as USS Cooperstown deploys
If you like This Old Swing, You're going to love this next Nunnsense project ▶ 2:24
If you like This Old Swing, You're going to love this next Nunnsense project
Downtown Jacksonville business owners say downtown needs consistent foot traffic ▶ 0:45
Downtown Jacksonville business owners say downtown needs consistent foot traffic
Man who plowed truck into Palatka block party released from hospital, booked into Clay County jail ▶ 0:52
Man who plowed truck into Palatka block party released from hospital, booked into Clay County jail
Police ID driver they say plowed pick-up truck into crowd at Palatka block party ▶ 1:18
Police ID driver they say plowed pick-up truck into crowd at Palatka block party
Block party ends in chaos, police shooting after driver plows through crowd, injuring people: police ▶ 1:11
Block party ends in chaos, police shooting after driver plows through crowd, injuring people: police
Medical Mission at Home event helps patients get care they need for free ▶ 0:51
Medical Mission at Home event helps patients get care they need for free
Georgia church shifts from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from Brantley fire ▶ 0:38
Georgia church shifts from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from Brantley fire
St. Johns County superintendent nears end of first year in role. How would you rate him? ▶ 0:39
St. Johns County superintendent nears end of first year in role. How would you rate him?
‘Nothing short of a miracle’: Some Brantley County homes spared as wildfire damage comes into focus ▶ 2:09
‘Nothing short of a miracle’: Some Brantley County homes spared as wildfire damage comes into focus
Jury finds 4 men guilty in killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio ▶ 0:36
Jury finds 4 men guilty in killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio
Back in business: St. Johns County food truck park reopens after commission vote ▶ 1:24
Back in business: St. Johns County food truck park reopens after commission vote
Wild hogs destroy yards in Seven Pines neighborhood ▶ 0:42
Wild hogs destroy yards in Seven Pines neighborhood
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims ▶ 0:54
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims ▶ 1:25
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims
Man seriously injured in Butler Beach road rage shooting describes harrowing encounter ▶ 0:52
Man seriously injured in Butler Beach road rage shooting describes harrowing encounter
Jacksonville faces unhealthy air quality from wildfire more than 100 miles west ▶ 0:52
Jacksonville faces unhealthy air quality from wildfire more than 100 miles west
What we learned about Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray's removal from DCPS classroom duties ▶ 1:50
What we learned about Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray's removal from DCPS classroom duties
Brantley County launches ‘one-stop’ website for residents as crews move to recovery efforts ▶ 0:54
Brantley County launches ‘one-stop’ website for residents as crews move to recovery efforts
Previous photo Next photo
