2 remain at large after deadly shootout on Alafaya Trail in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies are searching for two people involved in a fatal shootout Thursday on North Alafaya Trail near the University of Central Florida.

Deputies responded to Alafaya Trail and Challenger Parkway at about 1 p.m.

Deputies said a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was finishing up a crash investigation on Research Parkway when he thought he saw a dark SUV and a white Nissan Altima street racing.

Photos: Shootout scene on Alafaya Trail

He said he then realized people in the vehicles were exchanging gunfire and followed the vehicles to Challenger Parkway.

Deputies said the driver of the SUV lost control, crossed the median and slammed into another vehicle heading north on Alafaya Trail. The other driver and passengers were uninjured.

The driver of the SUV, Jonathan Bryant, 38, died from gunshot wounds, deputies said. Another person in the SUV, Robert Ashe IV, tried to flee, but the trooper took him into custody. He is cooperating with the investigation, officials said.

Ashe was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant, deputies said.

Jeanette Kelly, who was in town for a job interview, said she had just returned to her hotel from a nearby RaceTrac when she heard screeching tires and gunfire.

"He jumped out of the vehicle, another guy jumped out of the vehicle (and) started running over this way," Kelly said. "I'm just thanking God that I got out of that parking lot and parked right here right before it all happened."

Bryant had a history of drug arrests and had a reputation for fleeing from law enforcement.

Ashe has spent time in prison for violent crimes.

In a 2010 case, he was initially arrested on a charge of attempted first-degree murder with a fire arm in a drive-by shooting.

He later pleaded to lesser charges and pleaded no contest in a 2011 case where he was accused of trying to run over a deputy twice at a gas station.

Deputies said they're searching for the two people who drove away in the Nissan.

Investigators said the two victims were likely targeted.

Anyone with information is asked to call deputies.

Cox Media Group