THONOTOSASSA, FL — A Good Samaritan who stopped to help a man waving a flashlight along the side of the road was met with gunfire, with his vehicle struck five times, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting happened just before 1 a.m. on Sept. 29 near Main Street and Grovewood Avenue. Deputies said the victim was traveling eastbound on Main Street when a man walking along the roadway flagged him down by waving a flashlight.
The driver stopped, believing the man needed help. Investigators said the man then fired multiple rounds at the driver for unknown reasons. The victim managed to drive to a nearby gas station and contact deputies.
Detectives identified the alleged shooter as Franklin Windham, 32. During a search of Windham’s residence, investigators said they recovered a firearm of the same caliber used in the shooting.
Windham was arrested on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder with a firearm, shooting into a vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The investigation remains active. Nothing further.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
