Global Courant 2023-04-18 23:57:02
A Georgia man is facing attempted murder charges in Florida following a traffic altercation between him and another father who allegedly left both their daughters with gunshot wounds in October, according to court documents.
Frank Allison, 44, and William Hale, 36, were driving along Highway 1 with their families when they got into a dangerous confrontation, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office claimed at the time.
Both were arrested, but prosecutors dropped second-degree murder charges against Allison under Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defense law on March 31 after it was determined that Hale was the alleged aggressor, court documents show.
Prosecutors eventually filed three counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of “shooting or throwing lethal missiles” against Hale for allegedly attacking Allison, his wife, and their daughter. The “missile” charge relates to the water bottle he allegedly threw into the Allisons’ SUV before the shooting began.
FATHERS IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA FALL TO SHOOT ON HIGHWAY, INJURE EACH OTHER’S DAUGHTERS
Bodycam shows two fathers involved in a Florida highway shooting that left each of their daughters injured. (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office)
The altercation left their daughters, aged 5 and 14, in hospital beds with gunshot wounds.
“There could have been two dead kids at the hands of two stupid grown men,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper after both were arrested on Oct. 8, 2022.
A witness, who told police he saw a “cat-and-mouse game” between the two erratic drivers, called 911 before the shooting because “he knew something bad was about to happen,” according to incident reports obtained by Fox News Digital.
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Hale allegedly told investigators that he and Allison took turns “braking-checking” each other, which police defined as “slamming their brakes while in front of each other.”
WATCH: Bodycam shows aftermath of Florida double shooting
Hale pulled up next to Allison and yelled something through the window, according to the documents. Then Hale said he heard a “pow,” and his daughter started screaming. He shot back.
Allison told police he fired one shot toward the back of Hale’s Dodge pickup truck after something, later identified as a water bottle, was thrown through his window. According to the documents, his single shot hit the girl in the back seat in the leg.
Hale allegedly emptied his magazine in the direction of Allison’s Nissan SUV, punching Allison’s daughter in the back.
Bodycam video shows first responders treating the girls at the scene as their fathers recount dueling versions of events.
Frank Allison, left, and William Hale, after they were arrested in a shootout on October 8, 2022. (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office)
Both voluntarily quit for law enforcement, according to the incident reports. But they were seen staring at each other and yelling abuse while other men forced them apart.
“Do me a favor, just take care of your daughter,” a deputy tells Allison after they part ways.
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The deputy and another person can be seen treating a wound on her back.
“Ouch, it hurts!” she shouts as he applies pressure with gauze.
Hale is due to appear in court on April 20 for his arraignment.
Fox News’ Haley Chi-Sing and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
