A Georgia woman, Taylon Nichelle Celestine, was arrested for allegedly shooting two drivers on a Florida interstate while claiming that God directed her to do so in relation to the solar eclipse. Celestine was stopped near mile marker 96 on Interstate 10 and taken into custody on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper discharge of a firearm. Authorities recovered an AR-15 rifle and a 9 mm handgun from the vehicle Celestine was driving, a Dodge Challenger with Georgia plates. The incident took place near Bonifay, about 50 miles north of Panama City.
Prior to the shooting, Celestine had reportedly checked out of a local hotel and informed the staff that she was going on a shooting spree directed by ‘God’ in relation to the solar eclipse. She then entered the interstate near mile marker 112 and drove westbound, firing a weapon and striking another vehicle within five miles of entering the interstate. The driver of the vehicle was grazed by a bullet on the arm but managed to steer his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road, away from Celestine. Continuing westbound, Celestine shot at another vehicle near mile-marker 107, hitting the driver in the neck. The injured driver survived and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
Celestine was later apprehended and booked into the Holmes County Jail in Florida. It was not immediately clear if she had retained legal representation to speak on her behalf. The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the shootings, which have raised concerns due to the bizarre circumstances surrounding Celestine’s purported motivation for the attacks. The incident has shocked residents in the area and raised questions about the state of mental health care and access to firearms.
The use of an AR-15 rifle and a 9mm handgun in the shootings has also sparked debates about gun control and the prevalence of firearms in society. The fact that Celestine claimed to be following divine instructions to carry out the shootings has added a religious dimension to the incident, leading to discussions about the intersection of faith and violence. Authorities are seeking to understand the motives behind Celestine’s actions and determine if she was influenced by any external factors.
The injured drivers, one of whom was grazed on the arm and the other hit in the neck, are fortunate to have survived the shootings. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with access to firearms who may be experiencing mental health issues or are driven by extreme beliefs. The community is coming together to support the victims and their families and to address the broader issues raised by the incident. Law enforcement officials are working to ensure that Celestine is held accountable for her actions and that steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
