Nashville Man Arrested Following Interstate Shooting

LIMESTONE COUNTY-A Nashville man is in custody after a terrifying shooting incident along I-65 near Exit 365 at the Alabama/Tennessee state line.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, deputies responded to reports of a shooting on the interstate. The victim reported that Joel Cespedes, 35, a self-proclaimed Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficker, was following her. According to the victim, Cespedes had called her, demanding to speak with her and threatening to kill her if she did not stop her vehicle. When she refused, he allegedly produced a firearm and began shooting at her while driving on the interstate.

The victim managed to record the harrowing encounter and, while calling 911, exited the interstate to find a safe location. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Trooper Calder was in the area and swiftly conducted a

traffic stop on Cespedes. Sergeant Cary Moore, Deputy Bradley Fontenot, and Investigator Martin Evans responded to the scene, where probable cause was established to arrest Cespedes on charges of Attempted Murder and Domestic Violence 2nd Degree – Stalking.

During the arrest, authorities discovered Cespedes in possession of a firearm, multiple fraudulent identification cards, passports, and numerous credit cards belonging to other individuals. Cespedes has received additional charges of Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl). Cespedes is held on a $2,005,000.00 cash bond.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has additional information is urged to contact Investigator Martin Evans at (256) 232-0111.