Lakeland resident Leonard Hunter, 46, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident yesterday (8.4.19) which ended in the Sprouts Farmers Market parking lot at Fletchers Trace Parkway and U.S. Highway 64.
Capt. Anthony Buckner, public information officer for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said Mr. Hunter is accused of attempting to ram his vehicle into other vehicles and brandishing a hammer on Highway 64
When deputies stopped Mr. Hunter in the parking lot of Sprouts, they found numerous items believed to be used to manufacture methamphetamine: a pressure cooker, a hot plate, liquid Coleman camp fuel and at least two 40-pound bags of ammonium nitrate. They also located six Oxycodone pills, “fake” money and drug paraphernalia, according to Capt. Buckner
Mr. Hunter was charged with several felonies including two counts of aggravated assault and possession of anhydrous ammonia for use of manufacturing a controlled substance as well as reckless driving.
Jesse Adler of Lakeland said he was driving on I-40 near the Highway 64 exit when the suspect in a red Jeep Cherokee tried to ram his vehicle as well as another vehicle. He called 911 about the incident which started mid-afternoon.
As the suspect went to exit on Highway 64, he got out of his vehicle with a hammer, according to Capt. Buckner.
The bomb squad was called to the scene and a large part of the parking lot was cordoned off for hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
There were no injuries and the investigation continues by SCSO.
