Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Jacksonville police charge 2 teens in I-295 shooting Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 14:51:51 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD Jacksonville police charge 2 teens in I-295 shooting \BY FROM COMBINED DISPATCHES \DT JACKSONVILLE, Fla. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Police investigating a string of attacks on motorists announced the arrests yesterday of two teen-agers believed involved in one shooting. Jacksonville Sheriff Jim McMillan said the two boys, ages 16 and 17, fired a weapon from a moving vehicle into the car of Debra Lewis. The bullet hit her in the ear and lodged in her jaw. The two were charged with attempted murder. The July 29 attack on Interstate 295 was one of several along the highway in which motorists were shot at or had rocks or heavy objects hurled at their cars. One man was killed July 4 when he lost control of his car after it was hit by a piece of concrete. Since February, there have been 37 confirmed rock and sniper attacks along the highway. The attacks prompted the American Automobile Association to issue a warning to avoid the highway. Interstate 295, a major gateway to Florida for tourists visiting from the north, is traveled by 80,000 motorists daily, many of whom are tourists en route to Orlando, the nation's top tourist destination and home of Walt Disney World and other attractions. The two teen-agers, whose names were not released, may have been involved in other attacks, Sheriff McMillan said, although he added that police are also seeking other suspects. "We certainly may have other incidents in which these individuals may be involved," he said. The teen-agers will be questioned about other attacks on motorists along Interstate 295 involving bullets, concrete blocks and bottles. The 16-year-old was arrested yesterday and the 17-year-old was arrested Tuesday night, he said. Authorities said they did not have a motive for the attack on Mrs. Lewis, 38, who lost the hearing in her left ear. After the AAA warning about danger on the interstate highway, Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles dispatched National Guard troops in helicopters and humvees to patrol a 10-mile stretch of the highway, which surrounds Jacksonville. The patrols by the 150 Guardsmen involved in "Operation Overpass" began Friday night. Norman LeBert, general manager of the Comfort Inn on U.S. 17 and Interstate 295 in Orange Park, thinks the patrols are working. "I think they are certainly a welcome sight," he said. "I wish they were not needed." Outfitted in camouflage suits, flak jackets and helmets with face shields, the citizen soldiers carry M-16 rifles and keep watch. One Guardsman stands outside the vehicle, watching for anything out of the ordinary. Another monitors the radio. They carry search lights to scan wooded areas. Four helicopters, including one equipped with an infrared unit that can sense body heat, also patrol. The entire operation is costing the state of Florida about $10,000 a day. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM