Police Searching For Tampa Man Who Fired Into Car & Hit Child After Gas Station Argument

SEFFNER, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — The search is on for a Tampa man who shot at another vehicle Saturday, striking a child in the leg.

The suspect followed another customer after getting into an argument at a gas station, pulled up beside him and then shot into his vehicle, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said on its Facebook page.

The sheriff's office didn't release the age of the child, but said the victim's injuries were non-life-threatening.

Deputies later identified the suspect as Jontavius Laquan Shaeron Monroe, 33, of Tampa. The sheriff's office said Monroe has eight prior felony convictions. He is currently on probation, according to the Department of Corrections website.

Investigators were still searching for Monroe on Sunday. He faces charges of aggravated battery, attempted first degree murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, shooting into a vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"A verbal dispute between two grown men should never end with a child being shot, and I pray for the child's quick recover," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

Crime