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Tampa police release video in search of suspect in Howard Frankland bridge shooting (w/video)

 
A screen grab from a motorcyclist’s video shows the confrontation occurring along the Howard Frankland Bridge on Monday night. [Tampa Police Department] 
A screen grab from a motorcyclist’s video shows the confrontation occurring along the Howard Frankland Bridge on Monday night. [Tampa Police Department] 
Published May 11, 2016

Times staff

TAMPA — Police are looking for the shooter in a possible road rage case who wounded a motorcyclist in the ankle after encountering a group of bikers on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Police said the driver of a red or maroon Ford Edge cut off the bikers as they crossed the bridge toward Tampa just before 10 p.m. Monday.

One of the bikers had a camera affixed to his bike and caught the moments leading up to the shooting on video. Tampa police released the video Tuesday afternoon. It shows the car cutting off and veering dangerously close to some of the motorcycles.

The group continued toward Kennedy Boulevard and the airport exit, police said, when a "physical altercation" occurred between the SUV driver and one of the motorcyclists.

The driver went back to the SUV, grabbed a gun and began firing, police said. A 27-year-old was struck by the bullet and taken to the hospital with injuries that weren't life-threatening.

Police did not release the wounded person's name.

The SUV driver fled north on Interstate 275, cutting over to get to the airport exit and hitting another car, causing minor damage.

Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-873-8477.