Florida Woman, 37, Attacks Pregnant Driver and Elderly Bystander in Road Rage Incident

A 37-year-old Florida woman has been arrested for attacking a pregnant woman, an elderly woman and a police officer within a span of minutes. The incident took place near the Mall of Millenia in Orlando before12 p.m. on February 23. It came to public attention when the Orlando Police Department posted its video on social media on March 20.

The attack has been described as a road rage incident. The pregnant victim, 35, told police that she was driving on Millenia Boulevard and Millenia Plaza Way when a woman in a white Kia car abruptly stopped in front of her multiple times. The victim then honked at the car ahead and tried to change lanes to avoid the woman.

According to the victim, the assailant, 37-year-old Mandolyn Shaffer-Brockwell, got out and jumped on the hood of the victim’s car. “The victim informed the Kia cut across two lanes of traffic, got out, and jumped on the hood of (the victim's) white Kia Carnival,” police said.

The complaint states that after jumping over the hood, Shaffer-Brockwell opened the victim’s car door and punched her in the face. "Honk at me again," she told her, followed by a swear words. All this time, the victim told her to stop as she was pregnant and also had another child in the car.

Meanwhile, a 68-year-old bystander noticed the incident and tried to help the pregnant victim. Shaffer-Brockwell then allegedly attacked her and told her to stay away. The elderly woman suffered scratch marks on her face because of the assault.

911 was eventually called, and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) tried to arrest Shaffer-Brockwell. However, instead of cooperating, she allegedly sat on the ground and bit a police officer who tried to handcuff her.

Shaffer-Brockwell has now been charged with burglary of a conveyance with assault/battery, battery on a person 65 years or older, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer with violence.

Under Florida law, burglary of a conveyance can lead to life imprisonment, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, and both battery on a person aged 65 years or older and resisting an officer with violence carry sentences of up to five years.

The whole incident was captured on surveillance cameras and the police body cameras. Sharing the footage on social media, the OPD wrote, “On February 23, officers responded to the area of Millenia Boulevard and Millenia Plaza Way after reports of a battery related to a driving dispute. Video shows the suspect, Mandolyn Shaffer-Brockwell, attacking and injuring an elderly victim.”

“The victim provided a description of Shaffer-Brockwell and her vehicle, and an officer quickly located her. When the officer attempted to detain her, she refused to comply, violently resisted, and bit the officer while trying to avoid being handcuffed,” the police said.