POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - According to BSO, 18-year-old Alexandre Nicholas was sitting at a bus stop when he heard a “swoosh” sound and felt a pain in his hand. When he looked down, he saw a 6-inch arrow protruding from his hand.
“As I look up, I see cars going by — I see nobody. There was two people sitting next to me. They didn’t even know what happened,” Nicholas said. “It just all happened so fast. I didn’t feel any pain and then I called 911. They came and picked me up.”
Nicholas was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed surgery to remove the arrow.
“Everybody who walked by my room was surprised to even see that,” Nicholas said. “Most people thought I was holding a pen, and then when they finally looked closer, they saw that it was an arrow sticking out of my finger.
Doctors said the arrow fractured his finger. However, the arrow did not sever any tendons.
“The way I was sitting, it could have hit me anywhere else if it would have missed, so it would have been horrible,” said Nicholas.
After investigating, detectives eventually arrested 33-year-old William Rodriguez.
Deputies were able to link Rodriguez to the attack through DNA evidence from the arrow.
“I’m just glad we have technology like that to where people like that can’t get away with things like that,” Nicholas said.
Investigators said Rodriguez confessed to shooting people randomly with a Cobra brand tactical pistol crossbow from his car.
Detectives believe he was involved in at least four other incidents since August 2016. However, they said there may be other victims.
Rodriguez has been charged with premeditated attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He also has previous charges for driving with a suspended license, cannabis possession, burglary, criminal mischief and violation of probation.
“I’m glad that person got caught because it’s like you’re just randomly shooting people that did nothing to you. It’s just like why. What’s the point?” said Nicholas.
If you believe you may be a victim of Rodriguez’s actions, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
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