Man arrested in connection with road rage shooting on Route 10

SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) — A road-rage shooting caught on camera early Wednesday morning in Smithfield led to the arrest of 39-year-old Michael Robinson, who faces several felony charges for the drive-by shooting on Route 10.

Robinson faces charges in Isle of Wight County of brandishing or pointing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm, firearm use in commission of a felony—first offense, stab, cut, wound with malicious intent, discharge firearm from motor vehicle and possessing a firearm as a non-violent convicted felon (greater than 10 years), according to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail website.

Police got the call after 1 a.m. “about an individual who was driving erratically and fired shots on Route 10,” said Lt. William Wooley with the Smithfield Police Department.

The first encounter happened about a mile or so back on the road — the Honda Odyssey blinks as if about to turn right, but just before the victim passes, the Odyssey jerks back into the lane and continues driving. Later, the four lanes become two on this narrow strip, and that’s when things got dangerous.

“There he is passing on the left,” Wooley said.

What you didn’t see in those few seconds was the shot being fired.

“We saw the starburst from his turn signal,” Wooley said. “That’s going to be exacerbated by the camera. Our victim was able to see this a lot clearer.”

Slowing down the video, the spark of light coming from the shooter’s gun during the third blink of the turn signal can be seen.

“Right there is going to be the shot that’s captured, there could be possibly more,” Wooley said.

Police said the passenger of the suspect vehicle, Robinson, was seen shooting while passing the victim’s car by the victim’s in-car camera. The victim pulled over, called police and gave a detailed description. The video led to the issuance of a be-on-the-lookout, or BOLO, for the suspect vehicle, and Suffolk police found them a little after 2 a.m.

During their traffic stop, the shooter threw his gun out of the window, but officers found it. Robinson, of Chesapeake, was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine when he was arrested, police said.

“So, for us, cocaine is the most used drug in our area. more than meth and heroine,” said Wooley, who noted that 70% to 80% of their monthly arrests involve cocaine.

He also said the shooting was not provoked by the victim, which means this could have happened to anyone.

His advice?

“Be vigilant,” Wooley said.

Robinson has been denied bond and police say he could face more charges in the future, as the case is still under investigation.

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