FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A shooting in downtown Fort Lauderdale that is being investigated as possible road rage has sent a man to the hospital.
Cellphone video recorded by witness Elizabeth Boutet captured the victim as he lay on the ground, Thursday afternoon. Several feet away, another man is seen walking toward police officers with his hands up.
“This has never happened. This is Las Olas; it’s a great area,” said Boutet.
According to Fort Lauderdale Police, the driver of a dark gray Nissan and the driver of a light gray BMW engaged in a verbal altercation near the intersection of Southeast Fourth Avenue and Second Street, Thursday afternoon.
Investigators said the argument escalated until one shot was fired, striking the victim.
Boutet, who works nearby, said she heard the shooting from her office.
“I literally heard the gunshot,” she said. “I look up, then I see someone laying on the floor and holding his leg, and people immediately help him,” she said.
Boutet took out her cellphone and began recording.
The man who appeared to turn himself in to police was placed in handcuffs and was seen speaking to officers.
Area residents said they believe the two men were arguing over a parking space.
“We heard a loud bang. We thought maybe it was something from the construction [that] fell or a gunshot, and then the sirens came,” said Joann Peterson, who also works in the area. “We walked down, and there was a guy laying in the street with blood, and he was being put on a stretcher, into the ambulance and left.”
The victim, a man in his 50s, was transported to Broward Health Medical Center with a gunshot wound. His condition remains unknown.
7SkyForce hovered above the scene as officers investigated. What appears to be a bullet casing could be seen on the pavement.
Just before 4 p.m., a tow truck arrived at the scene to remove one of the sedans involved.
Officers cordoned off the area for several hours while they investigated. They have since reopened it to traffic.
Police said the person who fired the weapon has not been taken into custody and is being cooperative.
While the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear, witnesses said they’re trying to understand why things went so far.
“It’s absolutely insane that, in this day and age, people want to fight over a parking spot,” said Peterson.
“There’s no need to get so upset about it,” said Boutet.
As of late Thursday night, no arrests have been made. Police said they are investigating all possibilities, including self-defense.
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