Multiple shootings reported during recent road-rage incidents in Oklahoma
New data shows it's a rising trend across the country
New data shows it's a rising trend across the country
New data shows it's a rising trend across the country
Oklahoma seems to have a road-rage problem, with multiple shootings in the last few days.
| MORE | Woman dies, 16-year-old injured during road-rage shooting in Oklahoma City, police say
In the last week, KOCO 5 has reported several road-road shootings around central Oklahoma. And new data shows it's a rising trend across the country.
"Right when we were passing the Grand Casino, we noticed this car come up behind us just right on my tailgate," road-rage victim Adrianna O'Daniel said.
KOCO 5 told you O'Daniel's story earlier this week. She was driving home to Seminole on Interstate 40 when a dangerous driver opened fire on the road.
"I didn't realize at first he was shooting. And once it clicked, I sunk down in my seat and punched the gas," O'Daniel said.
| MORE | Road rage shooting leads to badly shaken driver, arrest of teenager
One of her friends in the car was hit and taken to a hospital. She's alive and recovering.
"It could have been so much worse. It's already terrible, but it could have been so much worse," O'Daniel said.
But another road rage incident at Southwest 22nd Street and Blackwelder Avenue in Oklahoma City left a 19-year-old woman dead and a 16-year-old injured. Police are still looking for the suspect in a sports car.
Those are just two stories similar to many across the U.S.
Data from auto insurance companies shows the number of road-rage shootings doubled from 2018-21. They totaled at least 522 nationwide, with 131 deaths.
| MORE | Two young women shot in fit of road rage in Pottawatomie County
The group Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund said at least 44 people were shot and killed or wounded in road rage shootings monthly across the country in 2021.
"I didn't know if it was a normal laser pointer or a gun," a man named Carlos said.
Carlos told KOCO 5 that his incident happened in Oklahoma City, and the shooter came out of nowhere.
"They hit my car twice – once in the fender, and the other time they hit me on the rear passenger side. That actually got launched inside the door," he said.
Oklahoma City police tracked down the suspect when Carlos gave them a tag number.
"It checked to a car in Bethany. When officers went to the location, we were able to find the suspect, recovered evidence at the scene," Master Sgt. Gary Knight said.
According to Gun Violence Archive, states with the highest rates of road-rage shootings include Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.