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ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police say the man is responsible for a road shooting in eastern Orlando, as well as a “disturbing” gun crime that first surfaced on social media.
The department said Traviance Polite Jr., 19, was arrested Wednesday after the South Semoran Boulevard shooting Tuesday afternoon, between Curry Ford Road and La Costa Drive.
Detectives said Polite was stopped on Tuesday at the intersection of Curry Ford Road and Semoran Boulevard because he was arguing with his girlfriend. Politely told police that he had seen the victim and that man’s girlfriend laugh and opened fire, police said.
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“The suspect reached the firearm above his girlfriend – who was pregnant or pregnant – and fired two shots from his passenger window. It went through our victim’s door. One bullet went into the cushion of his chair and the other through the side of his stomach, ”said Detective Phil McMican.
The victim remains in hospital and lost “much of his stomach and intestines as a result of the injuries,” police said.
After the shooting, the victim said he ran to a nearby business for help from his car.
Below is a surveillance video of the victim running for help. Warning: The video may be difficult for some people to watch.
The victim was badly injured and rushed to the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Police say he was conscious and alert when he arrived at the hospital.
[MORE COVERAGE: Man rushed to hospital after possible road rage shooting in east Orlando, police say]
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Police said the second “troubling” gun crime initially surfaced on social media, notably Instagram, on March 31.
Detective Michael Glatthorn said he received a video (seen above) in which Polite leans out of a car window and points a gun with a laser sight at a runner. The detective said police were able to determine that the video was shot at block 5800 of Grant Street.
“It took a while to find the runner, but I really managed to track him down yesterday,” said Glatthorn. He remembers the incident. He thought it was just some kids playing with a laser pointer. So when I told him – and I actually showed him the video – he was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. “
Investigators said they started following Polite on social media and saw him with the same gun in several other photos and videos. Detectives said they were able to determine where he lived and began to keep an eye on him, hoping to catch him with the gun.
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“While we were actually monitoring, we saw the violent crime units in the same area,” said Glatthorn. “We contacted them and concluded that they might be looking for the same man who posted the video of pointing the gun at the runner.”
After his arrest on Wednesday, Polite gave police a full confession of both crimes, according to investigators.
Polite is now charged with attempted second-degree murder, shooting from a vehicle, recklessly displaying a gun, carrying a concealed gun, and possession of a gun by a known delinquent.
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