By Tom Palmer
THE LEDGER
Published: Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.
HAINES CITY | A Haines City man shot his ex-girlfriend Saturday afternoon and as police closed in after his fleeing car was stopped on Interstate 4, he attempted to killed himself, police said.
The man was identified as Augustan Canales, 28, 416 Grace Ave. He was in critical condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Saturday night, said Capt. Brian Rall of the Haines City Police Department.
The shooting victim was identified as Yoelda Estrada, 23, of Kissimmee, who was listed in stable condition at LRMC.
The incident began at 4:30 p.m. when Canales confronted Estrada outside La Placita Mexico Market, 210 N. 10th St., Rall said.
Rall said Canales pulled a .22-caliber pistol and fired twice, hitting Estrada once in the back.
He then allegedly forced her into his 2010 Honda and sped away, Rall said.
Canales led police on a 10-mile chase west from Haines City through Lake Alfred and then onto the interstate, Rall said.
Rall said that as Canales was heading east on I-4, he suddenly slowed and drove into the shoulder.
Police saw a flash and discovered he had shot himself in the head with a shotgun.
Canales and Estrada were transported to LRMC by ambulance, Rall said.
The pursuit, which involved Haines City police, the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol, ended along the eastbound lanes of I-4 between County Road 557 and U.S. 27.
Police activity around the crime scene closed one lane of I-4, causing a massive traffic backup.
Both lanes of I-4 were reopened by 9 p.m., Rall said.
Rall said Haines City was assisted in the investigation by the sheriff's office, which will take over the case if Canales dies.
If he lives, he will be charged in the shooting and chase, Rall said.
No comments:
Post a Comment