Troopers arrest man wanted in Jacksonville shooting on I-295

Jacksonville — The Florida Highway Patrol says Amanuel Araya was taken into custody without incident on charges stemming from an altercation on Sept. 1 where someone opened fire on Interstate 295.

Araya is now facing an attempted murder charge as well as other felony charges, according to the Highway Patrol.

According to Araya’s arrest warrant, the shooting happened on I-295 near Morse Avenue, but the victim first came across the suspect at a gas station on 103rd Street. Troopers responded to the area where the shooting happened early on Sept. 1 and found a large-caliber bullet hole in the back of a vehicle.

The investigation revealed the victim works for a locksmith company and was called to the gas station to help a customer, according to the warrant. When the victim arrived, the accused shooter was helping the customer so the victim took pictures of that man in case there was any damage done to the vehicle.

Everyone left the gas station after the door was open, according to the warrant, and then the victim noticed a vehicle approach on the Beltway before shots were fired. The victim told investigators the person who fired the shots matched the description of the man who was trying to help the customer at the gas station.

According to the warrant, the customer at the gas station confirmed the story of what happened leading up to the point when they all left the area. Investigators checked surveillance cameras and identified a suspect.

Araya was arrested today, according to FHP.

©2021 Cox Media Group