Authorities in The Bahamas have charged popular TikTok star Elias Fritz with attempted murder after he and other suspects were apprehended following a high-speed police chase on August 11.
Per The Tribune 242, Fritz, who goes by the online name “Jaido World,” boasts over 300,000 followers on TikTok. Authorities accused him and another teen of attempting to rob a victim’s car and trying to kill him.
In a statement, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said that the incident occurred in the early hours of August 11. Authorities said that patrol officers with Operation Black Scorpion initially spotted a Japanese model vehicle driving at high speed and without headlights.
Authorities said that after efforts by the officers to pull the vehicle proved futile, a pursuit ensued, “during which the suspect discharged gunshots in the direction of the police, who returned fire with their service weapons.”
The vehicle is said to have ultimately crashed into a utility pole. Authorities said they then arrested three males – two 19-year-olds and a 17-year-old – and retrieved a high-powered weapon.
“The suspects sustained injuries from the collision; however, one of the 19-year-old males sustained gunshot injuries to his buttocks. He was taken to the hospital by emergency medical services for medical attention,” the statement added.
“During the pursuit, another police unit on routine patrol was flagged by a motorist on East Street. He was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and reported being shot by the occupants of a white Japanese model vehicle in the Robinson Road area. As a result, he was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.”
Besides the attempted murder charge, Fritz and another adult he was in the car with, face additional charges of possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger life, and attempted armed robbery, Eyewitness News Bahamas reported.
Following his arrest, Fritz was ordered to remain in prison during an August 18 court appearance. Fritz and the other accomplice were not mandated to enter their pleas when they were arraigned before the court, The Tribune 242 reported.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for November 21, where there will be a presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
