Rick Ross Shooting

The woman who called 911 to report the Rick Ross drive-by shooting had to hang up the phone and HIDE mid-call fearing the gunmen were turning around to spray a second wave of gunfire.

The call was made early Monday morning from a restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ... while the rapper was trying to speed away from the shooter in his Rolls-Royce.

A woman inside of a nearby restaurant called 911 in a panic and reported, "I just heard a bunch of gunshots go off ... and a car sped by."

The caller then interrupted the operator and said, "Oh my god, they're turning around and coming back ... I'm hanging up."

When the operator tried to ask more questions about the situation -- the caller shot back, "They're coming back ... I'm hiding."

The caller then hangs up the phone.

Rick Ross is fighting fire with firepower ... 'cause the rap mogul just hired 24-hour ARMED personal security to watch his back in the wake of Monday's drive-by shooting ... TMZ has learned.

Ross -- aka Ricky Rozay -- was already using armed bodyguards for protection at major events like concerts and public appearances ... but now he's decided he wants a full-time security detail.

Ross was targeted in a drive-by shooting in Florida early Monday morning ... when a car pulled up next to his Rolls-Royce and opened fire. Ross lost control of the vehicle during the incident and crashed into an apartment building.

Sources close to Ross tell TMZ ... the rapper had been getting threats for a while ... but he wasn't too concerned. But we're told Ross considers the shooting to be an "eye-opener" and will do whatever it takes to keep himself safe.

Rick Ross was allegedly shot at more than 20 times -- yet not a single bullet pierced his Rolls-Royce or his body? You can't buy that kinda luck ... or can you??

Cops in Florida are in the process of gathering surveillance footage from the scene of the crash in the Rick Ross drive-by shooting ... TMZ has learned.

As we previously reported, Ross smashed his Rolls-Royce into an apartment building in Ft. Lauderdale while attempting to flee from a drive-by shooting early this morning ... in which he was the intended target.

Sources connected to the case tell us ... security cameras at a building across the street from the crash were rolling during the incident ... and cops are hoping the footage will either reveal the identity of the shooter ... or at least show the vehicle.

So far, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.

8:45 AM PT -- Cops have now confirmed Ross was driving the Rolls-Royce at the time of the crash.

The passenger was Shateria L. Moragne-el -- who is reportedly dating the rapper.

Cops say neither party suffered any injuries. The suspects fled from the scene before cops arrived on scene.

Rick Ross smashed his Rolls-Royce into a building in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida early this morning ... while trying to escape from a gunman who opened fire on the car ... this according to police.

Ross was not shot during the incident -- nor was a female who was also inside the car.

According to local reports, "dozens" of shots were fired at the vehicle around 5AM -- none of which hit the Rolls. Several buildings in the area WERE struck by gunfire.

Cops say another vehicle had pulled up next to the Rolls ... when someone inside opened fire on Ross' car.

Ross' Rolls reportedly crashed into a building while trying to speed away from the gunfire.

So far, cops have not made any arrests in connection with the shooting -- and have not identified any suspects.

Local10.com obtained a photo from the crash scene, showing Ross' smashed-up Rolls-Royce being towed away. Cops tell TMZ they are investigating.

Ross was celebrating his birthday at LIV nightclub in Miami before the shooting.