PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, two members of a motorcycle club were arrested following a road rage shootout on the southbound US-41 bridge in Punta Gorda on Saturday.
The sheriff’s office said deputies responded to the bridge, along with officers from the Punta Gorda Police Department around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, after getting reports of shots being fired.
WATCH ALEX ORENCZUK'S FULL REPORT BELOW:
“Road rage incident - caller is stating he heard three gunshots,” said one deputy over the radio moments after the shooting.
The incident briefly shut down traffic on the bridge while investigators worked. The sheriff’s office said deputies learned several motorcycles were involved in the incident, and motorcycles matching a description were later spotted at a Shell gas station on Jones Loop.
Deputies reported that the men driving the motorcycles are members of the ‘Phantoms Motorcycle Club’, and were wearing 1% patches indicating they are “clubs that believe they are of the one percent who do not fall within the laws.”
The sheriff’s office said the club members were searched, and deputies located marijuana and weapons concealed in vests and vehicles to include firearms, brass knuckles, and a knife.
Club members Daniel Davis, 49, and Chris Sisemore, 35, were arrested on various charges related to this search, not the shooting investigation. Davis also faces a concealed weapon charge connected to the brass knuckles.
Both men have since bonded out of jail. Charges directly related to the shooting have not been filed against anyone.
Court documents say Sisemore is possibly connected to the shooting but has not been charged with any crime connected to it.
Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement on Sunday that investigators are working to identify who fired the shots, and that they will be held accountable.
“I am thankful that this reckless behavior did not result in anyone being hurt (or worse). Thank you to my deputies and detectives – and to our partners at the Punta Gorda Police Department – for a quick response that led to us apprehending these suspects. The original incident is still being investigated, and those who carelessly fired their guns and endangered others will be held accountable. When we are able, we will share that information with our community and give them the peace of mind they deserve.”
ORIGINAL REPORTING: 4:00pm Sunday, February 16 ==================
On Sunday deputies said they were still investigating a road rage shooting near the US-41 bridge SB near Punta Gorda, but they did make two arrests along the way.
After being alerted by Punta Gorda police, detectives closed the bridge to investigate. They say they found that multiple motorcycles had been involved, and bikes matching those descriptions were located at the Shell Gas Station on Jones Loop Rd. in Punta Gorda.
Deputies say they detained the bikers, who were wearing vests and patches signifying that they belonged to the Phantoms Motorcycle Club.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office described them as "'one percenters' – clubs that believe they are of the one percent who do not fall within the laws."
Deputies say they searched the club members and located marijuana and weapons concealed in the vests and vehicles to include firearms, brass knuckles, and a knife.
Two members of the motorcycle club were arrested on various charges related to this search, not the shooting investigation.
Daniel Davis, 49, and Chris Sisemore, 35, were charged with marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies say Davis was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
Both had already bonded out of jail by Sunday afternoon.
In a statement on the sheriff's office website, Sheriff Bill Prummell said "The original incident is still being investigated, and those who carelessly fired their guns and endangered others will be held accountable. When we are able, we will share that information with our community and give them the peace of mind they deserve.”
ORIGINAL REPORTING ======================
As of late Saturday night, there was no word yet what exactly happened on the road near the US-41 bridge, that inspired someone to start shooting.
Deputies did say road rage fueled the gunfire, which continued into the city limits of Punta Gorda.
Punta Gorda's Community Correspondent Alex Orenczuk got a tip on the incident shortly after it happened and immediately began checking it out.
Click to see the law enforcement presence on the scene and locking down the bridge shortly after the incident:
Deputies reported that no one was hurt, and that "all parties were accounted for."
FOX 4 also heard reports of the types of vehicles that may have been involved; we're still working to independently confirm that information with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.
As of late Satuday the investigation was still active, and more information was expected at a later time, per an agency spokesperson.
