Woman seriously injured, man arrested after road rage shooting in Putnam County

PUTNAM COUNTY, FL. – A woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being shot in the stomach during a road rage incident in Putnam County on Tuesday.

Keith Shaulis, 56, was arrested Thursday in connection with the incident that led to the woman's shooting.

News4JAX went on a patrol with Master Sergeant Nick Viera of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office to discuss ways people can defuse heated confrontations on the road.

Viera said if another driver deliberately tailgates you, look for a safe place to pull off the road to allow the other driver to continue.

“A well-populated gas station is a place you can go, but if you get angry while driving, call 911 immediately and call law enforcement,” Viera said.

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Viera said all modern cell phones come with a speaker and Bluetooth capability, allowing people to drive safely without holding the phone. While on the line with the 911 dispatcher, give them a description of the other vehicle and the driver if possible, as well as a description of your vehicle.

“Think TLC: tag, location, car. A tag number if you have it. Location is imperative at number two, then a description of the car at number three,” Viera said.

But what are your options if you are legally allowed to own and carry a firearm and the driver is armed and so enraged that he deliberately puts your life in imminent danger?

“If there is an imminent threat to the security of your well-being, you absolutely have the legal basis to defend yourself. Of course, the best case scenario would be to change direction, or even pause your route. For a brief moment, maybe walking into this very crowded gas station deters someone and you give them five minutes and then continue on to your destination,” Viera said.

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Law enforcement officials said people should never get out of their car to confront the other driver because they never know the other driver's intentions, and that person may not know your intentions.

Investigators said the woman who was shot by Shaulis got out of her car and walked toward his car when he shot her several times.

Additionally, authorities said if it's obvious the other driver is angry with you for something that happened on the road and you both end up next to each other other driver at a red light, it is best to keep your window open and not make eye contact with the other driver.

Shaulis faces charges of aggravated battery with serious injury with a firearm, shooting or throwing a deadly missile at occupied or unoccupied vehicles and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon .

Shaulis is being held without bail.