A road rage incident in Mulberry, Florida, took a dangerous turn over the weekend, culminating in the arrest of a local man. Stephen Phillips, 64, was taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on December 14, following an alarming encounter at Mary Holland Park in Bartow.

According to the investigation, the tense situation unfolded as a family, including a 3-year-old child, traveled south on Harden Boulevard near Ripkin Road. Their journey intersected with Phillips, who was behind the wheel of a Hyundai Santa Fe. Witnesses reported Phillips’ reckless driving, noting that he engaged in a hazardous “brake check” maneuver in front of the family’s vehicle.

The incident escalated when both vehicles came to a halt side by side at a traffic light. It was here, authorities say, that Phillips brandished a silver semi-automatic pistol, directing it towards the family with his finger poised on the trigger.

The quick response from law enforcement ensured that Phillips was apprehended before the situation could spiral further out of control. This incident highlights the potential dangers on our roads and the importance of remaining calm in stressful driving situations.

After passing Phillips’ vehicle, both cars stopped to a stop side by side at a traffic light, where Phillips displayed a silver semi-automatic and pointed it toward the victims with his finger resting on the trigger, PCSO said.

The victim also said Phillips made repeated racial slurs, placing them in fear for their life.

According to deputies, Phillips originally denied that he showed his firearm, but later admitted to pulling it, claiming that he did not believe he pointed it at the victims.

The victim gave detectives a photo of the incident, which showed Philips holding a firearm.

“Brandishing a firearm at innocent people—especially a child—is unacceptable. Road rage that escalates into violence will not be tolerated, and my detectives acted quickly to put this man behind bars,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Phillips, who is an optician in Lakeland, was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm.