Hillsborough County deputies say a stretch of I‑4 turned into a crime scene on April 29, when 33-year-old Nicolas Totherow allegedly opened fire on a car carrying four people, including a child. The gunfire, according to investigators, prompted an immediate multiunit response and ended with Totherow's arrest on a slate of felony charges, as concerns over road-rage violence on Tampa-area roadways continue to simmer.
In a public statement on X, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said deputies and detectives located Totherow and took him into custody the same day, with help from the agency's communications center. Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the incident, writing that "this reckless and violent behavior put multiple innocent lives at risk on our roadways," according to the sheriff's office.
Charges and booking records
Publicly viewable booking records show a late April booking for Totherow that aligns with the counts described by deputies, including attempted first-degree premeditated murder tied to a firearm discharge, multiple counts of aggravated battery with great bodily harm related to firearm discharge, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and shooting into a vehicle. The record also lists armed possession of a controlled substance and a driving-with-a-canceled or suspended license charge, according to Arrests.org. The log lists Totherow as 33 and gives the arrest time as late on April 29. Bond amounts and scheduled court dates were not immediately visible in the online listing.
What deputies say about the arrest
Hillsborough County deputies say they were able to track Totherow down and arrest him the same day the I‑4 shooting was reported. The agency has not released information about possible injuries to the people inside the targeted vehicle, only confirming that four individuals, including a child, were in the car at the time of the gunfire. Detectives say the case will be forwarded to prosecutors for charging determinations as investigators gather additional evidence, according to the department's statement on X from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Legal outlook
Attempted murder and related first-degree felony counts tied to firearm use carry serious penalties under Florida law. Attempted felony murder is classified as a first-degree felony that can be punishable by up to life in prison, according to Florida statutes. Prosecutors can seek enhancements when a firearm is used in the commission of violent felonies, which can increase potential exposure at sentencing. The case will proceed through the Hillsborough County court system if prosecutors file formal charges and a judge sets bond and court dates.
Anyone with information or dash-cam footage related to the April 29 I‑4 shooting is asked to contact investigators as they continue building the case. This story will be updated as court filings and additional details become available.
