Mikese Morse, 30, pictured in his mugshot from Tampa police, who says Morse was charged with premeditated first-degree murder in connection to hitting dad, Pedro Aguerreberry, with his car
Police in Florida say a former Olympic hopeful ‘purposely drove off the road,’ cutting across traffic and over a grass easement, to kill a father on a bike ride with his two young sons.
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan told reporters Monday that a witness described former track-and-field hopeful, Mikese Morse, as the driver of a Dodge Avenger, that hit 42-year-old Pedro Aguerreberry, before he speed away.
Aguerreberry was killed and his 3-year-old, Bennett, was seriously injured. His 8-year-old, Lucas, wasn’t seriously hurt.
Agueberry’s eight-year-old son was not seriously injured.
Morse, 30, was arrested Sunday night at his parents’ house in Tampa after someone spotted the vehicle police were looking for and called 911.
In the days before the horrific incident, Morse posted disturbing videos to Instagram, ranting about a woman, and saying the devil is at work.
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The scene Sunday shows police tape across the bike pathway where Aguerreberry was stuck while out for a bike ride with his two sons Sunday
The former Olympic hopeful (pictured in 2015) had a series of incidents in recent weeks. On June 12 he walked into a police station and exhibited odd behavior and was detained. He also posted disturbing videos threatening to kill someone just before Sunday’s incident
In one video Morse declares ‘I’m gonna kill someone right now.’
Chief Dugan said Morse appeared to have targeted the family Sunday afternoon, striking 42-year-old Pedro Aguerreberry as he pulled one child on his bicycle with another child following behind on the off-road bike path.
Dugan also says that Morse was recently hospitalized against his will for a mental evaluation.
He says Morse walked into a police station on June 12 and exhibited ‘odd behavior,’ so police detained him.
Morse is now charged with premeditated first-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash with a death and injuries.
He’s being held at the Hillsborough County Jail, where records don’t list a defense lawyer for him.