The Florida Garbage Truck Shooting: On a quiet Friday morning, June 27, 2025, the small city of Zephyrhills, Florida, became the stage for a bizarre and terrifying incident that sounds like it was ripped from a Hollywood action movie. A heated argument at a Wawa gas station escalated into a high-speed chase, gunfire, and a collision, leaving two men injured and a community in shock. This is the story of the Florida garbage truck shooting, a tale of rage, recklessness, and the consequences of unchecked anger.
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The Incident Unfolds
It all began around 5:30 a.m. at the Wawa on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills. Quinson De’Shawn Croson, a 46-year-old Dade City resident and manager at LA Billiards, got into a verbal altercation with a garbage truck driver, Brandon Raymon Lee. The two men were reportedly acquaintances, and the argument started innocently enough. According to police reports, Lee noticed Croson appeared intoxicated and suggested he go home. This seemingly well-intentioned advice sparked a firestorm.
The situation quickly spiraled. Lee and his coworker, J’Nyith Reyes, climbed into their Waste Connections garbage truck and attempted to leave the scene. Croson, however, wasn’t ready to let it go. He hopped into his black GMC Yukon SUV, armed himself with a handgun, and began chasing the garbage truck through the streets of Zephyrhills. What followed was a chaotic and dangerous pursuit that would leave bystanders stunned.
As Croson tailed the garbage truck, he allegedly fired multiple rounds at the vehicle. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and dashcam video from an independent witness captured the harrowing scene: Croson’s SUV weaving aggressively, gunshots ringing out, and the garbage truck barreling through the city in a desperate attempt to escape. One bullet struck Lee in the right forearm, while the chase culminated in a violent collision near Dairy Road. Croson’s SUV rammed into the garbage truck, causing the passenger-side door to fling open and ejecting Reyes onto the street. Both men sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at AdventHealth hospitals in Zephyrhills and Dade City.
Croson fled the scene in his damaged SUV but was later apprehended in Hillsborough County. As a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, he now faces serious charges: two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Zephyrhills Police Department has urged anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.
A Community Rattled
Zephyrhills, a city of about 18,000 residents known for its quiet charm and bottled spring water, isn’t accustomed to this kind of violence. The incident has sparked conversations about road rage, gun violence, and the dangers of intoxication. Social media, particularly Reddit’s r/FloridaMan community, buzzed with reactions, with users calling the event “a national treasure” of absurdity while others expressed disbelief at the recklessness. One commenter quipped, “Florida man takes out the garbage. Coming to a theater near you!”
The story also gained traction on X, where posts described the incident as a quintessential “Florida Man” moment. The mix of a Wawa parking lot, a garbage truck, and gunfire seemed to fit the state’s reputation for wild headlines. But beneath the memes and jokes lies a sobering reality: two men were injured, and a community was left grappling with the fallout of a senseless act.
The Bigger Picture
This incident isn’t just a bizarre anecdote; it’s a stark reminder of how quickly disputes can escalate when fueled by anger and poor judgment. Road rage incidents have been on the rise across the U.S., and Florida, with its sprawling highways and diverse population, is no stranger to such events. In February 2025, a separate road rage shooting in Panama City left one person dead, highlighting the deadly potential of these encounters.
The fact that Croson was allegedly intoxicated adds another layer to the story. Alcohol impairs judgment, lowers inhibitions, and can turn a minor disagreement into a life-threatening situation. The Zephyrhills incident underscores the need for better education on conflict de-escalation and stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting felons from possessing firearms.
What Happens Next?
As of July 4, 2025, Croson remains in custody, facing charges that could lead to a lifetime prison sentence without parole if convicted of first-degree attempted murder. The evidence against him is substantial, with surveillance and dashcam footage corroborating the victims’ accounts. The legal process will likely be closely watched, as it raises questions about accountability, gun laws, and public safety.
For Lee and Reyes, the physical wounds may heal, but the psychological impact of being chased and shot at while simply doing their jobs could linger. Waste Connections, their employer, has not released a public statement, but the incident highlights the often-overlooked dangers faced by sanitation workers. From heavy machinery accidents to, in this case, violent confrontations, their work is far from risk-free.
Moving Forward
The Florida garbage truck shooting is a wild, unsettling story that captures the unpredictability of human behavior. It’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of letting anger take the wheel—literally and figuratively. As Zephyrhills recovers from this shocking event, it’s worth reflecting on how we handle conflict in our own lives. A moment of restraint could be the difference between a heated argument and a headline.
For now, the Zephyrhills Police Department continues to investigate, and the community is left to process a story that’s equal parts bizarre and tragic. If you have information about the incident, you can contact the police at (813) 780-0050. Let’s hope this “Florida Man” tale serves as a wake-up call for cooler heads to prevail.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happened during the Florida garbage truck shooting?
An argument at a Wawa in Zephyrhills on June 27, 2025, led to Quinson De’Shawn Croson chasing a garbage truck, firing multiple shots, and crashing into it. Two workers were injured, one by gunfire and one ejected during the collision.
2. Who was involved in the incident?
The suspect, Quinson De’Shawn Croson, a 46-year-old convicted felon, allegedly shot at garbage truck driver Brandon Raymon Lee and his coworker J’Nyith Reyes after a dispute.
3. What charges does the suspect face?
Croson faces two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As a felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
4. Were the injuries severe?
Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Lee was shot in the forearm, and Reyes was ejected from the truck during the collision. They were treated at local hospitals.
5. How has the community responded?
The incident has sparked discussion on social media, with some treating it as a classic “Florida Man” story, while others emphasize the seriousness of the violence and its impact on the Zephyrhills community.