A Florida man, Quinson Croson, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting an acquaintance during a dramatic chase involving a garbage truck.
The incident unfolded in Zephyrhills and escalated from a simple verbal exchange at a Wawa gas station into a violent confrontation, leaving one man injured.
The Incident at Wawa and the Shooting
According to the Zephyrhills Police Department, 46-year-old Croson was arrested following the shooting incident. Police responded to a call at AdventHealth Zephyrhills hospital after Brandon Raymon Lee, who arrived with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his right arm, reported the attack.
Lee explained to police that the violence started after a friendly conversation with Croson at a Wawa gas station quickly turned heated.
Lee and his co-worker, J’Nyith Reyes, ran into Croson at the Wawa on the morning of the incident. Lee, who knew Croson as the owner of a local bar, noticed that Croson appeared to be intoxicated and advised him to go home. Lee, attempting to show concern for Croson’s well-being, suggested this “in a friendly manner.”
However, Croson became angry at the comment, and the two men started arguing. Reyes told police that during the exchange, Lee referred to Croson as “silly,” which might have triggered Croson’s violent reaction.
The Garbage Truck Chase
Despite Lee’s intentions to calm the situation, Croson reacted by getting into his SUV and following Lee and Reyes, who were on their way to a garbage truck for work. In dashcam footage provided to WFLA, the two men can be seen in the truck, with one shouting at Croson, “Chill, bro!”
As the chase through city streets unfolded, police say Croson retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and fired multiple shots at the garbage truck. Lee was struck in the right arm during this pursuit.
The chase reached a dangerous point when Croson’s SUV collided with the garbage truck, causing Reyes to be ejected from the passenger side of the vehicle. Fortunately, Reyes’ injuries were non-life-threatening, and he was treated at AdventHealth Dade City.
Croson’s Arrest and Charges
Croson allegedly fled the scene in his damaged SUV, but police eventually located him and took him into custody. He has been charged with two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a weapon by a gang-related felon. Croson is currently being held without bail at the Pasco County Detention Center.
The shocking incident, which began as a friendly conversation, escalated into violence with life-threatening consequences. The case highlights the unpredictability of situations involving anger and intoxication.
Croson’s actions, as well as the efforts of Lee to de-escalate the confrontation, have drawn attention to the serious consequences of such encounters.
