Man, 45, charged after alleged road rage incident; BB gun recovered in South Vancouver

A 45-year-old man is facing four charges after an alleged road rage incident in South Vancouver, in which a woman says a driver pointed what looked like a handgun at her.

The Vancouver Police Department said it received the report around noon on October 20, near Fraser Street and East 45th Avenue. Police said the woman told officers she had slowed for a speed bump when a male driver behind her began tailgating. She alleges he then showed what appeared to be a black handgun, pointed it at her and drove away.

The arrest

Officers found the suspect vehicle parked near Knight Street and East 57th Avenue, police said. They say they saw the man throw away an object in the west lane of Knight Street close to East 57th.

The VPD Emergency Response Team disabled the vehicle about a block away and arrested the man without incident, according to police.

A BB gun was recovered in the laneway where officers had seen the object discarded. The police release does not say that the BB gun is the item the woman described.

Charges

Police said the man is charged with:

• assault with a weapon
• uttering threats
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence

These are allegations, and none has been tested in court. The accused is presumed innocent. Police named him in their release, but NORTHLINE is not publishing his name at this time.

He remains in custody while he waits for a bail hearing.

Why it matters

The alleged confrontation took place around midday on city streets, and the woman's account describes a traffic dispute that escalated. The case now moves into the court process, where the charges will be addressed.