A 46-year-old Florida man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly chasing down an acquaintance in his garbage truck and shooting him. The incident, which involved a confrontation at a local Wawa gas station and a high-speed chase, left one man with a gunshot wound and another with non-life-threatening injuries.
Details of the Incident
The Zephyrhills Police Department responded to the scene on Friday morning, where they were first alerted to the shooting when Brandon Raymon Lee arrived at AdventHealth Zephyrhills hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his right arm. According to police, Lee told detectives that the shooting occurred after a verbal exchange with Quinson Croson, a local bar owner, quickly escalated into violence.
Lee and his coworker J’Nyith Reyes encountered Croson at the Wawa gas station. Lee, noticing that Croson appeared intoxicated, advised him to go home, expressing concern for his well-being. However, Croson became angry, and a verbal argument broke out. Reyes later told police that Lee referred to Croson as “silly,” which may have triggered Croson’s violent reaction.
The Chase and Shooting
Following the confrontation, Croson got into his SUV and followed Lee and Reyes to their garbage truck where they were working. As the men were inside the truck, dashcam footage provided by the police department showed the escalating confrontation, with one of the men shouting to Croson, “Chill, bro!”
During the chase, Croson allegedly retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and fired multiple rounds at the garbage truck, hitting Lee in his right arm. As the pursuit continued, Croson’s SUV collided with the garbage truck, causing Reyes to be ejected from the passenger side. Thankfully, Reyes sustained only non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at AdventHealth Dade City.
Croson Flees, Later Captured
After the collision, Croson allegedly fled the scene in his damaged SUV, but he was later located and taken into custody. He was charged with two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a weapon by a gang-related felon.
Police Statement
Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer explained that Lee was merely trying to help Croson, showing compassion by advising him to go home. Brewer noted that Lee’s intentions were good, trying to prevent Croson from harming himself or others. Despite Lee’s attempt to de-escalate the situation, Croson’s anger led to the violent pursuit and shooting.
Legal Consequences
Croson is currently being held at the Pasco County Detention Center without bail. Authorities have charged him with two counts of attempted homicide and possession of a weapon by a gang-related felon, given his criminal history.
This bizarre and dangerous confrontation has shocked the local community, highlighting how a seemingly minor disagreement can escalate into extreme violence.
