On Monday morning, a striking incident unfolded on Interstate 95, where a man in a red truck reportedly pointed a firearm at passing vehicles, causing considerable alarm among motorists. The suspect, identified as Samuel O’Neal Gardner, aged 62, was subsequently detained and is now facing multiple charges.
The chaotic sequence of events began around 9:30 a.m. when numerous 911 calls were made about a man in a red truck brandishing a weapon at vehicles traveling southbound. Deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to the scene.
According to official reports, deputies attempted to stop Gardner’s vehicle near mile marker 314, which is south of the State Road 16 exit. However, Gardner allegedly disregarded the order to pull over, prompting a pursuit. During this time, Gardner is reported to have pointed his firearm at law enforcement officers, further escalating the situation.
The pursuit ended dramatically when Gardner’s truck collided with another vehicle. Fortunately, the occupants of the other car were unharmed. The crash scene required southbound lanes to be shut down for several hours as authorities managed the situation and gathered evidence.
An SJSO K9 unit was deployed to assist in extracting Gardner from his vehicle post-collision. Due to injuries sustained, he was airlifted to a trauma center shortly thereafter. The specifics of whether Gardner fired his weapon at individuals or deputies remain inconclusive, as ongoing investigations are set to determine these details.
Authorities are seeking additional information from the public. Those with any footage or photos capturing the incident have been encouraged to share them with investigators. Furthermore, any witnesses are urged to contact local detectives to aid in the comprehensive investigation of the event.
Samuel O’Neal Gardner remains in custody at St. Johns County Jail, facing serious charges, including aggravated assault on law enforcement officers and reckless driving. The cooperation between different law enforcement agencies highlights the critical response needed in such concerning situations. As investigations continue, more clarity is expected to emerge about the exact sequence of events.
