Did she receive heavenly orders?
In a startling incident that unfolded on Monday in Florida, a woman was apprehended for allegedly firing shots at motorists along Interstate 10, purportedly driven by a belief that she was fulfilling divine directives linked to the solar eclipse.
Taylon Nichelle Celestine, aged 22, purportedly discharged a firearm indiscriminately from her purple Dodge Challenger bearing Georgia license plates while navigating Holmes County’s portion of the interstate. As per the Florida Highway Patrol, Celestine’s erratic actions resulted in gunfire directed at passing vehicles, placing numerous lives in jeopardy. Shortly after entering the interstate, approximately 115 miles from the Alabama border, one motorist narrowly escaped injury as Celestine’s bullets grazed their vehicle, causing damage and minor injuries.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, another driver fell victim to Celestine’s gunfire, sustaining a neck injury. Emergency responders promptly transported the injured individual to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
In response to urgent reports of an active shooter, law enforcement intercepted Celestine’s vehicle around the 96-mile mark, executing a felony traffic stop. Subsequent to a search of her vehicle, authorities discovered a 9mm handgun and an AR-15 rifle.
Without resistance, Celestine was taken into custody and transported to Holmes County Jail, facing severe charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm.
Further investigation unveiled Celestine’s alarming assertion that she was acting upon divine instruction related to the solar eclipse, a statement she purportedly made while checking out of a local hotel. The Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) is actively pursuing the case.
While Florida did not experience a total eclipse on Monday, residents could witness a partial eclipse. However, law enforcement and experts had not anticipated an eclipse-related crime surge, although they had cautioned about the potential for an increase in fatal car accidents during the event.