Photo: Holmes County Sheriff's Office
A Georgia woman accused of shooting two people on a Florida highway claims "God" directed her to open fire during the solar eclipse. The Florida Highway Patrol said the Monday (April 8) rampage started when the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Taylon Nichelle Celestine, told hotel staff she was going to go on a shooting spree.
After checking out of the hotel, she drove a purple Dodge Challenger onto Interstate 10 and started shooting at a passing vehicle. Officials said a bullet grazed the driver and glass fragments from the window struck them. The victim managed to steer onto the shoulder of the road and avoid the suspect.
Celestine allegedly shot at another vehicle, hitting the driver in the neck. The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment, FHP wrote.
A FHP trooper spotted the Challenger exiting the interstate in Ponce de Leon toward a rest area, according to the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said the purple vehicle made a U-turn and tried returning to the I-10, but a trooper conducted a traffic stop.
Celestine pulled over and was taken into custody. Authorities said they recovered an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun from the purple Challenger.
The 22-year-old woman was booked into the Holmes County Jail on several charges, including attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm.
The Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) is conducting the ongoing investigation.
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