INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 30-year-old man was arrested after he struck a motorist with a 6- to- 7-inch rock he hurled toward the driver’s vehicle, deputies said.
Quinton Douglas
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The man – identified as Quinton Jermaine Douglas – told deputies he threw the object at the driver in self-defense, reports show. Deputies said Douglas kept changing his story, at one point saying he didn’t throw the rock at all.
Douglas told deputies that he hears vehicles “driving by playing his name through speakers,” reports show.
Deputies arrested Douglas, of Palm Bay, on charges of shooting or throwing a deadly missile and battery. Douglas was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail on $8,500 bond.
Indian River County deputies were called to reports of a man throwing rocks at vehicles about 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Indian River Drive and U.S. 1. The man – later identified as Douglas – wore all black and had been slinging the rocks since 10 a.m., reports show.
Deputies spoke with the victim, who was bleeding from the head. The victim said he was turning right from Indian River Drive onto U.S. 1 when he saw Douglas standing in the median and yelling at traffic, reports show.
Douglas then chucked the rock through the victim’s open window, striking the driver in the head, deputies said. A witness pointed out Douglas to deputies.
Douglas, who had a fishing pole, told deputies he was fishing at the location since 10 a.m., reports show.
Deputies arrested Douglas and took him to the county jail. Douglas has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. May 10, court records show.