Suspect in Walmart shooting arrested after pursuit: authorities
Share and Follow


NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA) — Police have arrested a man who they believe was involved in a shooting at a Walmart parking lot in Port Charlotte earlier this month, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 13, Charlotte County deputies responded to reports of several shots being fired at a Walmart on Murdock Circle.

  • Go with the flow hula hooping

After an initial investigation, deputies took two people into custody for their alleged roles in the shooting, and issued a warrant for the man who they say was responsible for firing the shots.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported that around 1 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to the area of Camilla Lane after receiving a tip involving the wanted suspect.

At the scene, deputies said they found Anthony Mojica, 20, driving a white Nisszan Altima.

One of the deputies said that he caught up to the vehicle and turned on his emergency lights, which prompted Mojica to swerve into the opposite lane and turn off his headlights before speeding off.

The deputy continued his pursuit with assistance from the North Port Police Department.

During the pursuit, the Nissan driven by Mojica reached speeds of over 120 miles per hour while driving on the wrong side of the road heading north on Interstate 75.

According to deputies, around mile marker 180, the front tire of the Nissan began to deteriorate, which allowed NPPD to successfully deploy stop sticks and slow the vehicle down to 65 miles per hour.

Law enforcement then enacted a PIT maneuver that stopped the vehicle near mile marker 182

“I warned him that he could not hide from us. If you commit a crime in Charlotte County we will find you. We have recently trained members and equipped our vehicles with the ability to PIT. We are tired of criminals fleeing, so this is a warning to all, if you commit a crime and run in Charlotte County, given the opportunity, we will put you in the ditch!” Sheriff Bill Prummell said.

“I want our community to continue to feel safe and they can rest easy knowing that this violent criminal is no longer on the street.”

  • Employee plants GPS tracker to catch pair of thieves on spree of copper spool thefts: deputies

Charlotte County deputies and NNPD officers ordered the occupants of the Nissan to exit the vehicle in which Mojica, accompanied by a juvenile female passenger, complied.

After searching the vehicle, deputies located a handgun and a black bag with suspected narcotics and additional ammunition inside.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mojica and he was taken and booked into the Sarasota County Jail where he is being held on charges relating to the pursuit.

He will also face charges in the Charlotte County shooting.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Texas Overtakes Florida as the New Lightning Capital of the U.S.

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a notable shift, Florida no longer holds the…

Trump Administration’s Unexpected Praise: A Rare ‘Thank You’ to the Media

Following last weekend’s U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the Trump administration did…

Swiss Bar Involved in Fatal New Year’s Fire Last Inspected for Safety Compliance in 2019

GENEVA – A tragic fire at a New Year’s celebration in a…

Grief Support Offered at Orange County School After Tragic Loss of 13-Year-Old Girl on Christmas Day

ORLANDO, Fla. – As students return to school, many are carrying the…

Capitol Divides Again as January 6 Anniversary Marks Five Years

WASHINGTON – Five years ago, a pivotal moment unfolded in American history…

Central Florida’s Spring Tease: Enjoy Mild Weather Before Big Changes Arrive!

ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, Central Florida basked in warm sunshine, with temperatures…

Trump’s Bold Move: How Capturing Maduro Exposes Gaps in International Law

THE HAGUE – In the aftermath of two devastating world wars during…

Florida’s Current Position on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Revealed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier, alongside two influential business…