Gunfire sounds around trooper’s car were part of a dangerous prank, Florida cops say

A Florida state trooper subjected to a barrage of “loud pops” on New Year’s Day was the target of a dangerous fireworks prank, according to investigators.

It happened just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday as Trooper Eric Kjekstad sat with his window down at an intersection in the Hernando area of Citrus County.

“As a Dodge (SUV) was passing my marked patrol vehicle ... I heard several loud pops and noticed clouds of smoke and grass being flung up from the ground direct next (to), on top (of) and in front of the patrol car,” Kjekstad wrote in an affidavit.

“Initially, it appeared as if there were gunshots that were striking the ground around my patrol car.”

Kjekstad scanned the intersection for threats, concluded it came from the passing SUV and went after the vehicle.

The SUV was pulled over a short time later, and a 20-year-old man in the backseat “stated he threw fireworks out the window,” despite being warned not to do so by the driver, the report states.

“The defendant stated ... that he had already lit the fireworks (before they neared the squad car) and didn’t know what to do with them,” the report said.

A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of “Black Cat” firecrackers, the report states.

The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a felony charge of throwing a destructive device, the report states.

Hernando is about an 85-mile drive north from Tampa.

This story was originally published January 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Gunfire sounds around trooper’s car were part of a dangerous prank, Florida cops say."