Oct 15, 2008 5:42 am US/Eastern
Former Marine Arrested In I-76 Road Rage Shooting
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Philadelphia Police announced a former Marine has been arrested in connection with a road rage shooting on I-76 that left a driver critically injured earlier this month.
Police said 33-year-old Christian Squillaciotti of the 400 block of Shunk Street in South Philadelphia is facing two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault and related charges after being taken into custody Monday.
Squillaciotti allegedly fired several shots into the vehicle at about 8:40 p.m. on October 5. Police said Squillaciotti and the driver of the other car, 41-year-old Thomas Timko, exchanged some kind of hand gestures which apparently led to the shooting.
Timko, whose 8-year-old daughter was in the backseat at the time, was struck in the head by gunfire and remains in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His daughter was uninjured in the incident.
After a lengthy search for information in connection with the crime, police released a surveillance photo taken at the Walt Whitman Bridge toll plaza of a new model, charcoal grey, Ford F-150 pickup with an extended cab considered a "vehicle of interest."
Investigators received numerous anonymous tips from the public and sources tell CBS 3 information from a family member led police to Squillaciotti. Prior to his arrest, Squillaciotti allegedly fired one shot in his South Philadelphia home before being subdued by family members.
Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel said numerous guns were found during a search of Squillaciotti's home. Investigators believe they have recovered part of the gun used in the I-76 shooting.
Sources said Squillaciotti confessed to throwing the gun into a sewer and trying to disguise his truck with decals.
According to sources, in his alleged confession, Squillaciotti claimed he was made "crazy" by pain medication he was taking for a back injury. Sources said Squillaciotti said he heard "voices" giving him orders and even tried to kill himself. Squillaciotti allegedly expressed regret and remorse for the shooting.
Aside from his military experience, Squillaciotti, who is 6'4" tall and weighs approximately 275 pounds, is listed as a heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter.
Police said no further arrests are expected. The incident remains under investigation.
Squillaciotti is being held on $2 million bail pending a psychiatric evaluation. He has a status hearing scheduled for October 17.
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