Road Rage Incident Turns Deadly: Driver Fatally Shoots Man

A 25-year-old Florida man murdered a fishing boat captain during a road rage incident, according to authorities.

Jaden Alexander Harris was indicted for first-degree murder in the death of 43-year-old Joseph Morris Hall in Sanford. Harris originally was facing a second-degree murder charge but a grand jury indicted him on a more serious count.

Sanford police officers just before 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14 responded to a shooting call at the Vue on Lake Monroe apartment complex, according to an arrest report reviewed by Law&Crime.

When they arrived, they found Hall “bleeding profusely and not responding.” He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead. Cops also encountered Harris, who was still in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Harris walked up to officers with his hands up, according to the report, and an officer asked Harris if he was the one who shot Hall.

“I had to because he was blocking me in,” Harris allegedly said.

Witnesses said they heard two men arguing followed by at least one gunshot. Then they saw Hall running away from Harris to get to his Jeep. Harris chased Hall down and fired another five or six shots, the witnesses told cops. Hall did not have any weapons on him, cops noted.

In an interview with detectives after receiving his Miranda rights, Harris said he was driving when he came upon Hall”s vehicle. Harris said Hall was driving slowly so he tried to move around him. The defendant said Hall almost hit him and he wanted to take a picture of the victim’s license plate. Harris said the two pulled up to a stop sign when Hall rolled down his window and called him a “p—.”

According to the arrest report, Harris claimed he was still trying to take a picture of Hall’s license plate so he continued to follow him. Harris eventually followed him into the parking lot of the apartment complex. Hall blocked Harris from exiting, the defendant claimed. Harris stated he shot Hall when he lunged at him — but he invoked his right to an attorney when detectives asked him to be more specific, according to the complaint.

Detectives determined they should arrest Harris because he was “aggressively following” Hall to get his license plate information “without reason.” They noted the defendant had “several opportunities to disengage” from Hall but chose not to do so. Harris also never indicated to investigators that he was ever in fear for his life.

Cops arrested him and took him to the Seminole County jail, where he remains as of Tuesday.

Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said the incident was entirely avoidable.

“Harris had several opportunities to drive away from the incident as he followed Joseph, who was attempting to drive away,” Smith said in a statement. “Yet, Harris continued to follow Joseph unnecessarily, which ultimately led to Harris killing Joseph. A simple choice to drive away by Harris could have prevented this tragedy and made all the difference for everyone that Joseph left behind. No one should lose their life over a minor traffic infraction.”

According to his obituary, Hall started out as a mate with the Sailors Choice Party Fishing Boat company in Key Largo. He eventually became the owner, and later launched a division focused on sport fishing private charters.

“Through hard work and vision, he expanded his business and opened Angler’s Choice, building not only a livelihood but also a legacy within the Key Largo community,” the obituary said.