Florida Man Shoots Semi Truck During Road Rage Incident on SR 60 Near Lake Wales

Road Rage Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder After Shooting at Semi-Truck in Polk County

Lake Wales, FL. — A road rage incident on State Road 60 near Lake Wales has led to the arrest of a Fellsmere man, now facing multiple felony charges including attempted murder.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), 43-year-old Mitchell Gens of Indian River County turned himself in on March 23, 2025, after investigators identified him as the suspect who opened fire on a semi-truck during a confrontation on Friday, March 21 around 11:45 AM, near Grape Hammock Road.

The truck driver told deputies that a man in a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck shot at his vehicle multiple times during a road rage encounter. Fortunately, the driver was not injured, but the semi sustained four bullet holes and was disabled due to the damage.

Dashcam footage from the truck provided detectives with a clear image of the suspect’s vehicle, which featured a distinctive Punisher decal on the rear window. The PCSO’s Real Time Crime Center quickly narrowed down potential matches, leading to the identification of Gens as the suspect.

During a phone interview with detectives, Gens admitted to firing two shots, claiming the semi-truck tried to run him off the road. He also confessed to removing the Punisher decal, knowing it would make him easier to track down.

However, the dashcam video contradicted his claims, showing Gens passing the truck illegally in a no-passing zone and no indication of the semi attempting to force him off the road.

Detectives secured an arrest warrant, prompting Gens to turn himself in. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:

• Attempted 2nd Degree Murder with a Weapon (F1)

• Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle (F2)

Gens' prior criminal history includes arrests for animal abuse, DUI, criminal mischief, providing false information to law enforcement, and driving with a suspended or revoked license on three separate occasions.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office continues to urge drivers to stay calm and avoid escalating road confrontations. Fortunately, this violent encounter ended without injuries — but authorities say it could have been much worse.

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