A crazed woman opened fire on a Florida interstate — shooting two drivers — because “God” told her to do so via the solar eclipse, she said, according to police.
Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, left her Holmes County motel Monday and told motel staffers that she was directed by “God” to go on a shooting spree in relation to the total solar eclipse — even though the Sunshine State was not anywhere near the path of the astronomical phenomenon.
Celestine, driving a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia plates, got onto Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker and began firing at other vehicles within five miles of getting on the highway in Washington County, Florida Highway Patrol said.
She allegedly shot at a passing car on the interstate several times. The male driver of the vehicle was grazed by a bullet on the arm and was struck with glass fragments when a bullet shattered his window, the agency said.
He pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway and Celestine kept on driving, police said.
The reckless shooter — reportedly armed with both an assault rifle and handgun — kept driving west on I-10 and opened fire on a second vehicle near the 107-mile market, according to highway patrol.
That driver was shot in the neck and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, the agency said.
Celestine continued driving until highway patrol troopers caught up to her near the 96-mile marker and pulled her over.
The officers allegedly recovered an AR-15 and a 9mm handgun from the Challenger.
She was taken into custody without incident and sent to Holmes County Jail, where she was booked on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm.
It’s unclear which gun she allegedly used to shoot at the other drivers and whether they were obtained legally.
The investigation is ongoing.