Interstate 85 shooter facing charges after opening fire multiple times during morning traffic
The shooter behind multiple interstate shootings is finally behind bars with charges from agencies across the I-85 corridor.
The first shooting occurred in Montgomery, Alabama around 6:15 A.M. eastern/5:15 A.M. central. The second shooting occurred around 7:15 A.M. eastern/6:15 central on Aug. 17, 2022 on I-85 northbound between mile marker 56 and 57 in Auburn. Police responded to the area after callers advised there was a vehicle stopped in the roadway and upon arrival, officers observed that the driver had sustained a gunshot wound from a projectile that entered from the rear of his vehicle.
The driver was later identified as a 45-year-old man from Prattville, AL. A passing motorist provided aid to the victim prior to the arrival of first responders. The victim was transported by Haynes Life Flight to Baptist South where he is in critical condition. “Further investigation developed a vehicle of interest, which is a 1996 white Cadillac Fleetwood license plate 3753BF3,” Auburn police said. “The suspect is described as a black male.”
Troup County Sheriff’s Office then responded around 7:56 A.M. on Interstate 85 Northbound near the 23 mile marker after a driver called 911 after his vehicle was shot at and struck by an individual driving what he described as an older White Cadillac driven by what he believed was a black male. The victim was not injured in the incident and the suspect continued driving North on I-85.
The description matched and officials from Auburn Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Tuskegee Police Department, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshal’s, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation immediately began working to find the shooter. By doing so, they used camera technology by a partner agency, a possible suspect vehicle and driver were identified and that information was shared with multiple jurisdictions in Georgia and Alabama. Lee County Emergency Management Agency assisted in equipment for the investigation.
The suspect vehicle was then spotted around 1:13 PM eastern time by a Chambers County (AL) deputy in LaFayette near the courthouse. “The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident and turned over to Auburn Police,” Troup County Sheriff’s Office said.
Image: Troup County SO The suspect is identified as Jerel Raphael Brown, 39 years of age, of Montgomery, and is charged by the Troup County Sheriff’s Office with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a felony, and Criminal Damage in the First. The charges he is facing in Auburn are attempted murder and shooting into an occupied motor vehicle.
“This case was a true example of agencies working together across state lines to capture a criminal,” the Troup County Sheriff’s Office added.
No other details have been confirmed.
Related stories
TrafficBREAKING: Crash blocks part of Second Avenue in Opelika, traffic rerouted
TrafficVehicle Fire Shuts Down Both Lanes of Alabama Highway 51
TrafficVehicle fire on I-185 North in Columbus
TrafficTRAFFIC ALERT: I-85 NORTH SHUT DOWN NEAR HOGANSVILLE
TrafficTwo injured in early Friday morning crash along Highway 280 in Salem