TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — James Jackson, 34 is accused of shooting into a car and hitting a 4-year-old child in a road rage incident on Jan. 29.
Tampa police arrested Jackson after a brief chase and located the weapon used in the shooting, which had been thrown from his car. Spent shell casings matched the bullets fired during the incident.
On Tuesday, the child’s mother, Keinesia Gillette, gave an emotional testimony during Jackson’s pre-trial detention hearing, telling a Hillsborough County judge the incident started innocently enough when she tried to merge in front of Jackson’s car.
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“I went up and I merged in front of the Kia,” Gillette recalled, saying it soon became apparent her simple move had enraged Jackson.
“He definitely was mad, it’s like he tried to hit my car and I ignored it,” Gillette added.
She told the judge that she turned a corner and tried to get away from Jackson, but he followed her and pulled out a gun, firing through the passenger side window of his car.