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A Florida man has been arrested and charged after he seriously injured two people by allegedly firing a missile into an occupied vehicle, causing it to overturn and crash, police said.
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said the unusual shooting was “one of the most comprehensive investigations in our recent history.”
On June 1, 28-year-old Julian Mendes-Wolfmes reportedly assaulted a black pickup truck carrying two passengers around 11 p.m. He is accused of firing a “missile” at the two people in the moving truck, which caused the crash.
“This outrageous act of violence committed on one of our main roads in Collier County was senseless and deliberate,” Rambosk said in a press release.
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Julian Mendes-Wolfmes, 28, is accused of firing a “missile” at the two people in a moving truck, causing it to roll over and crash. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
Collier County authorities immediately began investigating the shooting, police said.
According to an incident report obtained by the Naples Daily News, deputies responding to the scene of the crash initially believed the two injured were victims of a single-vehicle accident. However, the sheriff’s office said first responders later realized they both had gunshot wounds.
Mendes-Wolfmes, 28, allegedly assaulted a black pick-up truck carrying two passengers around 11 p.m. on June 1. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
The overturned truck left the victims inside the vehicle and both were only removed after rescue teams used belt cutters to free them, police said.
The two victims were airlifted to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Meyers, Florida, where they are recovering.
A GoFundMe page set up to raise money on behalf of the victims of the shooting identifies the two as Amy Chesser and Scotty McCandless.
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“While much is still unknown about the events leading up to their injuries, what is certain is that both suffered brain trauma that will likely affect them for the rest of their lives,” the GoFundMe description reads. “There is a very long, challenging road to recovery ahead. Amy and Scotty were both airlifted to a trauma hospital where they continue to fight for the miraculous recovery we all pray for.”
Mendes-Wolfmes was arrested on June 19. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and one charge of firing a missile into an occupied vehicle. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
During the investigation, an image of the rear of the black pickup was released on June 8 in hopes of generating clues for an arrest. A reward of $3,000 was also offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case and it is thanks to their dedication and professionalism that we have arrested the person responsible for this violent crime,” Rambosk said.
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Mendes-Wolfmes was located and arrested on Monday. He is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and one count of “firing a missile into an occupied vehicle”.
According to court records, his bail was set at $250,000.
He will be arraigned on Monday, July 17.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a writer on Fox News Digital’s breaking news team. You can reach her on Twitter at @s_rumpfwhiteten.
