Roger is a 32-year-old delivery driver for FedEx. He was making deliveries in Palm Coast Thursday afternoon when, passing by the Brass Tap in the Island Walk shopping center, his way was blocked by another vehicle idled in the middle of the road.
The man at the wheel of the vehicle in his way was Derek Leon Wilson, 53, a resident of 47 White Star Drive. Roger and Wilson argued, “and at some point during the argument Roger stated Wilson retrieved a firearm from inside of his vehicle and pointed it at Roger,” according to Wilson’s arrest report, as Wilson, in threatening language, said something to the effect that he would hurt Roger while allegedly pointing the gun at him.
A Brass Tap employee spoke to deputies about partly witnessing the encounter, hearing the two men argue. But the witness did not see the weapon “due to his field of view,” according to the report.
Roger got on the phone and called 911, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly. Wilson had left by then, but after a sheriff’s public service officer assigned to the nearby District Office observed the truck at the intersection of Old Kings Road and Kings Way, deputies found Wilson in his Ford F-150 and executed a felony traffic stop there. Wilson alone was in the truck. He told deputies he had a weapon in the vehicle. They located his 9mm handgun in a compartment under the steering wheel, but he also had a valid concealed carry permit. The search was suspended pending the securing of a search warrant.
Wilson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony. His truck was impounded at John’s Towing. He was ordered to surrender his firearms to the custody of the sheriff and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim, and booked at the Flagler County jail on $15,000 bond. Wilson posted bond the next day.
“Here’s another example of how road rage can turn potentially deadly,” Sheriff Staly said. “No traffic or roadway altercations are worth your life, and here is a guy who felt the need to pull a gun instead of moving out of traffic. Fortunately, no one was injured and we were called to intervene. Hopefully, this
violent offender will finally learn his lesson.”
Steve says
Made a complete fool of yourself over nothing and escalated the situation with a gun. Hope it was worth it. Not too smart
Jimbo99 says
He’s got bigger problems than just the arrest & charges, he’s not the brightest one out there among us. The rules and sharing the road don’t apply to him obviously. Where do these types get the idea that stopping & blocking traffic is even in their best interests ? I really wanna hear the excuse for that.
Willy Boy says
Compartment under the steering wheel. Mighty handy in case someone honks at you.
The Unvarnished Truth says
That wasn’t “road rage” that was ROAD STUPIDITY. Another privileged person thinking that societal laws don’t apply to them. That could have easily become a murder case because someone thought they could do wherever they want, whenever they want and nobody better not DARE say anything about it. Why wouldn’t they? The police/courts allow them to…
Mike Cocchiola says
Um… Sheriff, the man pulled a gun because he had one and he is encouraged to have one by the State of Florida which has among the loosest gun laws in the country. Do you and our legislators not see the connection? Do you not foresee more “gun rage ” incidents over the most trivial of disagreements?
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wait until the shooting starts in Publix, CVS, restaurants, and municipal buildings.
Unhinged says
I will add that pulling out of that spot of the parking lot is quite tricky. Heavy traffic along with blind spots as you dodge folks screaming along while they cut through to avoid the chaotic Old Kings construction. I think that particular spot should be cut off forcing folks to go 100 feet further down in either direction so as to avoid issues. It will not effect the businesses there one single bit.
However, that doesn’t excuse the gutless behavior of pulling a gun when a well opportuned middle finger would do.
TV Trey says
I agree. The white priviledge of this driver caused the illegal incarceration of another African American. Wake up America and do the right thing. Stop this racism now.
Hmmm says
Note: You don’t need a concealed permit to have a firearm in the vehicle in Florida.
The Geode says
WHAT? We might have the “loosest guns laws” in the country but have you seen the gun violence that happens in places that have the “tightest gun laws” in the country? We are a Utopia compared to those places. Then again, this violence happens in places and to people you probably don’t care about…
Steve says
Earth to TT Earth to TT come in do you read me…. over
The Unvarnished Truth says
LOL. I really don’t know how to reply to this. Then again, the way things are now and there ALWAYS seems to be a “racial component” for everything involving or within close proximity of a black person, this can either be sarcasm or a genuine thought process…
Ramone says
TV Trey have you been smoking the wacky tobacco?