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Florida Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Road Rage Shooting at Semi-Truck in Lake Wales

LAKE WALES, FL — A road rage incident on State Road 60 has resulted in the arrest of a 43-year-old man from Fellsmere, who now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted second-degree murder.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Mitchell Gens turned himself in on March 23, 2025, after detectives identified him as the individual who fired multiple shots at a semi-truck during a confrontation near Grape Hammock Road on Friday, March 21 around 11:45 a.m.
The semi-truck driver told deputies that the suspect, driving a gray Ford F-150 with a Punisher decal on the rear window, opened fire during a road rage encounter. The truck sustained four bullet holes and was disabled, but the driver was unharmed.
Dashcam footage captured a clear image of the pickup truck, which helped the PCSO’s Real Time Crime Center quickly identify Gens. Investigators said Gens later admitted to firing two shots, claiming the semi-truck tried to run him off the road. He also acknowledged removing the Punisher decal after the incident to avoid detection.
However, dashcam video contradicted his claims, showing Gens illegally passing the truck in a no-passing zone, with no evidence of the semi forcing him off the road.
An arrest warrant was issued, and Gens turned himself in. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:
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Attempted 2nd Degree Murder with a Weapon (F1)
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Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle (F2)
Authorities also revealed that Gens has a prior criminal history, including arrests for animal abuse, DUI, criminal mischief, providing false information to law enforcement, and multiple offenses related to driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to remain calm and avoid escalating situations on the road. While no injuries occurred in this incident, deputies say it had the potential to end in tragedy.
