Taylon Nichelle Celestine is facing charges after shooting two people on a freeway. (Photo of the shot car is from Florida Highway Patrol; The mug shot is from Holmes County Sheriff’s Office)
A woman who informed the motel staff in Florida while checking out that she was directed by 'God' in connection to the solar eclipse to go on a shooting spree, actually went through with it. As a result, she wounded two individuals and got herself arrested, authorities confirmed.
Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, from Georgia, was taken to the Holmes County Jail on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm, according to a news release.
The shootings occurred on Monday. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a local motel stating that a woman, later identified as Celestine, was carrying a rifle and a handgun, officials informed. Holmes County is located in the panhandle of Florida.
In a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia plates, she purportedly entered Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker and drove west. After covering about five miles, she fired multiple shots at another vehicle traveling on the interstate, hitting it several times, authorities reported.
The driver was hit by glass shards and grazed by a bullet on the arm, officials stated. He was able to guide the car onto the shoulder of the road and away from the suspect, who continued driving west on I-10, according to the police.
Near the 107-mile marker, the suspect fired again, hitting a driver in the neck, authorities reported.
Celestine was eventually apprehended as reports came in about someone shooting at other vehicles on the interstate, officials stated.
A trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol observed the purple Challenger exiting the interstate in Ponce de Leon and heading towards a rest stop.
The car made a U-turn in an attempt to reenter the interstate when a trooper pulled her over and took her into custody. In the Challenger, police discovered an AR-15 and a 9 mm pistol, officials shared.
Investigators and deputies were summoned to search the area of I-10 between Bonifay and Ponce de Leon to find any other potential victims. Ultimately, two individuals were injured. One was treated and released, while the other received medical attention, officials confirmed.