In an event as unusual as it was alarming, a man was arrested in Marion County after firing a flare gun at a sheriff's deputy's patrol car. The confrontation took place earlier this morning on Highway 19, landing Jacob Daniel Caldwell, a convicted felon, back behind bars, as reported by WESH.
Around 4:20 a.m., Deputy Mingus approached Caldwell, who was walking along the highway, sparking a strange and tense interaction. Caldwell is accused of not only firing a flare gun at Mingus's vehicle but also engaging in erratic behavior that included stripping off his pants and throwing money, FOX 35 Orlando reported. The deputy employed his Taser in an attempt to subdue Caldwell, who resisted by removing the probes before being taken into custody.
The charges brought against Caldwell include firing a missile into a vehicle, a serious felony count in the state of Florida, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, as well as possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and resisting an officer without violence.
After being secured, Caldwell admitted to firing the flare gun at the deputy's car. He was subsequently booked into the Marion County Jail. Fortunately, no one was injured during the confrontation.
