Man arrested after 4-year-old shot in Tampa road rage incident, police say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was arrested Tuesday night for his alleged involvement in a road rage shooting in Tampa that left a 4-year-old girl injured, according to the Tampa Police Department.

James Jackson, 34, was allegedly driving in the 3000 block of North 50th Street when he “became irate” with the woman driver of a white Chevrolet sedan, police said. Jackson allegedly fired multiple shots at the other car, which had a 4-year-old girl, an 8-year-old girl, and a man in his 20s inside.

The 4-year-old was in a rear passenger seat and was hit, police said. No one else in the car was injured.

The 4-year-old girl is expected to be OK, police said.

Jackson was found near 56th Street and East Hillsborough Avenue and was pulled over in a traffic stop near Spectrum Boulevard and East Fowler Avenue, according to police.

“It’s not Daytona 500 out here, people; do have respect for other people and other cars,” Bonnie Davis, who was staying at a nearby hotel, said.

Davis said she saw all the patrol cars and police tape where the shooting happened.

“There’s a 4-year-old child in there, and that child didn’t ask for this. The child didn’t even know what was going on. Okay, so he’s got to live with whatever damage he’s done to this 4-year-old. I hope he lives with it for the rest of his life. One, I have kids, and I’d want the same thing,” Davis said.

Police said Jackson tossed the gun from his car during the incident. The firearm has since been recovered.

“Our thoughts are with the little girl who was injured in this senseless act, and our Victim’s Advocate will be working closely with the family to ensure they are connected to any resources they may need,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. “Thanks to the swift efforts taken by all the responding and investigating officers, the suspect was quickly taken off the street before he could harm another member of our community.”

On Wednesday, police announced that Jackson was taken to Falkenburg Road Jail, where he was charged with the following:

• Attempted Murder, Great Bodily Harm (Firearm)
• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (3 counts)
• Aggravated Battery Great Bodily Harm
• Discharge of a Firearm from a Vehicle
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• Fleeing to Elude
• Resisting Officer Without Violence
• Possession of Cannabis
• Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell/Deliver
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Tampa police released aerial footage of Jackson tossing items from the car window, running over the stop sticks, and finally being stopped and arrested.

Anyone with information related to this shooting is asked to contact the police department at 813-231-6130.