Delusional Georgia woman opens fire on Florida highway, claims God spoke to her ‘through the solar eclipse’ and told her to shoot people
- Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, opened fire on I-10 on Monday after she said God told her to do so ‘in connection with the solar eclipse’
- Two drivers were injured in the shooting before Celestine was arrested
- Authorities found an AR-15 and 9mm pistol in her car
A woman who opened fire on a Florida highway claimed God told her to do so “in connection with the solar eclipse” – despite the state not being in the path of totality.
Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, was stopped by police on I-10 Monday after reports of an active shooter in Holmes County, about an hour outside Tallahassee.
Celestine drove a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia license plates onto the highway and within five miles she fired “several shots at another vehicle” before hitting another driver, Florida Highway Patrol said.
One of the drivers was hit by a glass of his car window and grazed in the arm by a bullet. The other was hit in the neck and taken to a nearby hospital.
Once troopers located Celestine, they pulled her over for a traffic stop and took her into custody. Authorities found an AR-15 and 9mm pistol in her car.
Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, was stopped by police on I-10 on Monday after she told local hotel staff that God had told her to undertake a shooting ‘related to the solar eclipse’
Before taking the violent action, Florida Highway Patrol said the suspect told staff at a local hotel that “God” had told her to start shooting because of the solar eclipse.
As Celestine drove down the highway, she opened fire on passing cars, hitting one male driver before driving another.
The first driver was able to avoid Celestine and stopped on the shoulder after being hit.
After the terrifying shooting, one of the cars was seen with cracked glass and multiple bullet holes.
She then continued on the highway before highway troopers caught up with her and pulled her over for a traffic stop.
She was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Holmes County Jail, police said.
Celestine was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and improper discharge of a firearm.
In Florida, attempted first-degree murder carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole, and a fine of up to $10,000.
An aggravated battery charge is considered a second-degree felony that can result in up to 15 years of parole or 15 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $10,000.
Two drivers were injured after Celestine opened fire on I-10. One of the cars is seen with bullet holes and cracks in the window
FORT WORTH, TEXAS: The solar eclipse passes through Texas before moving over New England and Canada on Monday
Improperly discharging a firearm in the Sunshine State is generally classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or one year of probation, and a $1,000 fine.
On Monday, the total solar eclipse brought North America to a standstill as the moon blocked out the sun.
The phenomenon started in Mexico before spreading to Texas and spreading across New England and Canada.
The Mexican resort town of Mazatlan was the first major viewing spot to be plunged into darkness by this celestial phenomenon.
People flocked from across the country to states like Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri to watch the eclipse, which isn’t expected to happen again until 2045.
While crowds in the South were awed and New Yorkers were generally unimpressed, the event sent animals into a frenzy in zoos and households across the country.
At the Dallas Zoo, giraffes, zebras and ostriches screamed, screeched and ran for cover as the clouds darkened.