BRANDON, FL — In a move that would make even the most hardened Florida Man nod in approval, 21-year-old Aiden Richards decided that honking and yelling just weren’t enough to express her displeasure on the road. No, she went full Grand Theft Auto instead.
What Went Down?
It was just another sunny afternoon in Brandon when two drivers stopped at a red light near South Hilltop Road and West Brandon Boulevard. Instead of exchanging the usual “What’s your problem?!” and “Learn to drive, moron!” banter, Richards apparently thought, “You know what this situation needs? Gunfire.”
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Richards whipped out a firearm and started blasting at the other car like she was auditioning for John Wick 5: Florida Edition. But here’s the twist—the other driver wasn’t about to take that lying down. They returned fire, hitting Richards in the lower body.
The Video That’s Going Viral
Because nothing says “Florida” like a shootout caught on camera, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office posted a 30-second clip of the incident. The footage shows Richards’ car pulling up next to the victim’s ride at the stoplight. Then—BANG BANG BANG—gunshots ring out. And just like that, when the light turns green, both cars casually drive off like they didn’t just turn the intersection into the O.K. Corral.
The Aftermath
Richards was arrested and charged with:
✔️ Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (because apparently, guns aren’t just for self-defense anymore)
✔️ Attempted second-degree murder (because nothing says “I’m having a bad day” like trying to end someone else’s)
✔️ Shooting at an occupied vehicle (because why settle for road rage when you can add felony charges?)
Sheriff Chad Chronister had some strong words: “This kind of behavior is dangerous, irresponsible, and could have easily ended in tragedy.” (No kidding, Sherlock.) He added, “We will not allow this kind of chaos on our roadways.”
Meanwhile, in Florida: “Hold my energy drink.”
As for the other driver? No word yet on whether they’ll face charges, but honestly, if someone starts shooting at you in traffic, returning fire seems like a pretty solid “Florida Stand Your Ground” defense.
Moral of the story? Next time you’re stuck in traffic, maybe just scream into the void like the rest of us. Or invest in a good bumper sticker. “Honk if you love not getting shot” has a nice ring to it.