MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has dismissed charges against a man who opened fire from his car on I-95 nearly two years ago.
Eric Popper said he was being tailgated on the highway on his way to work in June of 2021.
Chilling dash camera video obtained by Local 10 News shows Popper slamming on his brakes, and then opening fire seconds later.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the other driver then hurled a water bottle toward Popper’s Toyota Venza, but Popper maintains it was gunfire.
“I’ve watched the video many times. Did not see a water bottle,” he said.
“I think under the stand your ground law, Mr. Popper was perfectly reasonable and justified in his actions,” said Robert Gershman, the attorney representing Popper. “There was no question when you look and listen to the facts of the case, Mr. Popper was shot at.”
Popper said he is ready to move forward with his life.
“Hindsight is 20/20. There are always things we can look back and say we wish we could have done differently. Definitely, I would have done --would be to not have pumped my brakes. I would have taken another tactic. Definitely try to de-escalate a little better,” he said.