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Dover Man Shot Friday On I-4 Dies

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

PLANT CITY - Police were continuing this week to search for a suspect who they say mortally wounded a Dover man while the victim was riding in a car on eastbound Interstate 4.

The victim, Jesus Rodriguez, 23, died Monday.

Detectives say traffic was heavy on I-4 about 11 p.m. Friday when he was shot near the Alexander Street/Thonotosassa Road exit.

Plant City police Sgt. Jim Shultz said detectives are hoping witnesses "saw something strange," wrote down the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle, or can provide more information.

"Somebody on I-4 saw something," Shultz said.

A "slight confrontation" may have happened between Rodriguez and the shooting suspect at the RaceTrac service station off Thonotosassa Road near I-4, Shultz said.

The suspect, who was driving an older gray Cadillac, followed the white Cadillac Rodriguez was riding in onto the highway, pulled alongside him and opened fire, Shultz said.

The driver of the car Rodriguez was riding in was not injured, police said.

Rodriguez was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he was listed in critical condition over the weekend, Shultz said. Rodriguez died from his injuries on Monday and police upgraded the case to a homicide, Shultz said.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting is asked to call the police department at (813) 757-9200.

Shultz said callers can remain anonymous.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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