On Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, several people contacted law enforcement about a man with a backpack throwing objects at motorists along U.S. 1 Highway 1 in Sebastian, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was identified as 36-year-old Jon Gillian.
Two people told deputies objects struck their vehicles. One woman said Gillian was standing in the center median and threw a wooden object at her car, which caused damage.
“The wooden object struck the hood and front windshield of the victim’s vehicle and shattered the windshield,” the deputy said.
After striking her vehicle, the woman made a U-turn to confront the man. She was then punched in the face by Gillian, according to the affidavit.
A second victim told deputies that while traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 1, Gillian threw his backpack at his vehicle, causing the windshield to shatter.
A witness told deputies that he saw Gillian threw his backpack at a vehicle, then picked up a wooden post and struck another person’s car. After hitting the vehicles, Gillian then ran west.
Deputies found Gillian standing on the railroad tracks at Barber Street near U.S. Highway 1 and detained him.
Gillian was charged with two counts of Felony Shoot or Throw Deadly Missile, two counts of Felony Criminal Mischief, and one count of Aggravated Battery on a Person Over Age 65.
He was transported to the Indian River County Jail, where he is still being held on a $126,000 bond.