(NewsSpace.com) – The solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, brought out millions of people who wanted to see the phenomenon. Unfortunately, it also brought out a shooter who said God directed her to open fire along a highway. The woman is now in custody on a slew of charges.
Taylor Nichelle Celestine, 22, checked out of a hotel in Holmes County, Florida, allegedly telling the workers she planned to go on a shooting spree because God directed her to do so due to the solar eclipse. Just a few minutes later, according to a statement by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, she was traveling in her purple Dodge Challenger on I-10 in the Florida panhandle, reportedly firing multiple shots into passing vehicles. Two people were injured before authorities caught up to her.
One man was cut by glass that was shattered by a bullet, and a bullet also grazed his arm. He was able to pull his vehicle out of the line of fire and onto the shoulder of the highway. A few miles down the road, around the 110-mile marker, Celestine managed to shoot another driver in the neck. That victim is receiving treatment for their injuries.
Authorities caught up with the suspect shortly after the second shooting, when she tried to pull a U-turn, and took her into custody. She went willingly without incident. All in all, she managed to drive around 16 miles before getting caught.
When police searched her car, they found a 9mm handgun and an AR-15. It’s not clear which gun she used to shoot the victims or if the weapons were obtained legally.
Celestine has been charged with improper discharge of a firearm, attempted murder, and attempted battery with a deadly weapon. She is being held in Holmes County Jail. It’s not clear if she has legal representation at this time.
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