A harrowing scene unfolded on the streets of Des Moines as police officers confronted a road rage suspect who had reportedly brandished a firearm following a minor traffic collision. A video captured the tense moment, portraying the suspect’s threat to open fire on another vehicle’s occupants.
Authorities quickly responded to the incident shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, following reports that one of the individuals involved in the crash was wielding a handgun against another driver. The incident escalated from a regular traffic mishap into a potentially lethal confrontation.
The suspect, identified by police as 43-year-old Bradley Ratkovich, became the center of the investigation.
Evidence gathered, including witness accounts and video footage, allegedly showed Ratkovich exiting his vehicle post-crash and directing his Glock 9mm handgun at an 18-year-old driver and his 16-year-old female passenger. Ratkovich is accused of threatening to “shoot,” intensifying the gravity of the situation dramatically.
Charges against Bradley Ratkovich include two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, two counts of first-degree harassment, and one count of being ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, according to police. These charges highlight the severity with which authorities are treating the incident. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Video shared on X by witness Joshua Barzon appears to show Ratkovich standing in front of the occupied sedan while pointing a handgun toward the occupants.
As sirens approach, a Des Moines police cruiser pulls up and an officer immediately exits the passenger side with his weapon drawn.
“Put the gun down,” the officer yells.
Ratkovich then places the handgun on the ground.
Bradley Ratkovich is seen pointing a handgun at the occupants of another vehicle following a crash in Des Moines, Iowa, before police arrived and took him into custody. (X/@JoshuaBarzon)
“Step back! Get back. Put both hands on top of your head now,” the officer continues as a second officer exits the patrol vehicle. The officers then move in and take Ratkovich into custody without incident.
As the confrontation unfolded, Barzon can be heard urging the suspect to back down.
“Don’t do it. Relax, bro,” Barzon says before later telling the suspect to return to his vehicle.
Barzon later described the encounter in a post on X.
Video shared on X appears to show Bradley Ratkovich pointing a handgun at another vehicle after a crash in Des Moines, Iowa. Police said he threatened to shoot the occupants before officers intervened. (X/@JoshuaBarzon)
“Road rage almost turned deadly today in my area of Des Moines,” he wrote. “A man pulled a gun on another driver at the same intersection I stop at on my commute from work. Thankfully the cops intervened before it was too late. Be careful out there.”
Police said Ratkovich was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation before being booked into the Polk County Jail.
He was charged with two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, two counts of first-degree harassment and one count of being a person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons.
A Des Moines police officer escorts Bradley Ratkovich into custody after authorities say he threatened another driver with a handgun following a crash. (X/@JoshuaBarzon)
Court records show Ratkovich pleaded not guilty and waived a preliminary hearing. A judge set his bond at $12,000 cash. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 4, with arraignment set for Sept. 9.
Ratkovich’s attorney, Kent Balduchi, disputed investigators’ characterization of the incident, telling News Media his client acted in self-defense after being rear-ended while stopped at an intersection.
According to Balduchi, Ratkovich and his son were injured in the crash, and Ratkovich instructed his son to call police before getting out to exchange information with the other driver.
Balduchi said the other driver became aggressive after admitting he did not have insurance and then attempted to leave the scene. As the vehicle moved toward Ratkovich, his client stepped backward, drew his firearm and ordered the driver to stop because he feared he was about to be struck.
“No shots. No erratic or out of control behavior by Ratkovich,” Balduchi said. “Mr. Ratkovich did not display or draw his firearm until he felt endangered. We will file a notice of self-defense.”
Balduchi also said the other driver had been cited about three weeks before the incident for allegedly driving without a valid driver’s license and liability insurance, adding there was no indication those issues had been resolved before the crash.
The crash investigation remains ongoing as investigators await traffic camera footage, police said.
“Traffic crashes can be stressful, but introducing a firearm into a disagreement dramatically increases the risk of violence,” the department said in a statement. “If you’re involved in a crash, call 911 for police and medical help if needed, remain at the scene, and allow the responding officers to handle the situation safely.”