A Florida man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after police say he chased down and shot at a garbage truck following a verbal confrontation at a Wawa gas station. The incident involved an escalating argument, a shooting, and a dangerous pursuit through local streets.
The Altercation at Wawa
On Friday morning, 46-year-old Quinson Croson ran into Brandon Raymon Lee and his co-worker J’Nyith Reyes at the Wawa in Zephyrhills, Florida. Lee, who knew Croson as the owner of a local bar, shook his hand but immediately noticed Croson smelled of alcohol.
Concerned for his well-being, Lee advised Croson in a friendly manner that he should go home. However, Croson became angry and the situation quickly escalated into a verbal argument.
The Triggering Incident
As the confrontation continued, Lee called Croson “silly,” which may have been the catalyst for Croson’s violent reaction, according to Reyes.
Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer later explained that Lee was simply trying to prevent Croson from hurting himself or others and was showing compassion by giving the advice. But Croson apparently took the comment as disrespect, escalating the tension.
The Chase and Shooting
After the argument, Croson allegedly followed Lee and Reyes to the garbage truck they were using for work that morning. Dashcam footage from the truck, provided to WFLA by police, showed the two men in the front seats when Croson pulled up in his SUV. One of them shouted, “Chill, bro!” as the chase began.
According to the police, Croson retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and fired multiple shots at the garbage truck while pursuing it through city streets. Lee was shot in his right arm, though his injuries were non-life-threatening.
The Collision and Aftermath
The situation took a more dangerous turn when Croson’s SUV collided with the garbage truck, causing Reyes to be ejected from the passenger side of the vehicle. Reyes sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at AdventHealth Dade City. After the crash, Croson fled the scene in his damaged SUV.
Croson’s Arrest
After the incident, Croson was located and taken into custody. He was charged with two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a weapon by a gang-related felon. He is currently being held at the Pasco County Detention Center without bail.
The police noted that the situation could have been much worse if it weren’t for the quick response of local officers and the dashcam footage that helped provide clarity on what happened during the chase. Croson’s next court date has not been made available at this time.
What began as a concerned conversation about drinking and driving quickly spiraled into an attempted murder when Croson reacted violently to being called “silly.”
This incident highlights how small provocations can escalate into serious violence, especially when alcohol is involved, and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying calm in tense situations.
