A Sebastian motorist was arrested last week in Melbourne after firing a Glock-style handgun at another vehicle in what he called “de-escalating” a road rage incident.
Cody Hobson, 36, of Sebastian, told the police that another motorist (victim) was attempting to run him off the roadway and into the median while traveling over 50 miles per hour.
That’s when police say Hobson opened his glove compartment, removed his polymer 80 Glock-style handgun with a fully loaded magazine, placed a single round into the chamber, and brandished the weapon at the victim.
As the motorist attempted to pass him, Hobson admitted to discharging the firearm, striking the other vehicle, according to the affidavit.
“The defendant and victim traveled approximately 2.5 miles. This stretch of roadway has no less than 11 side streets, where the defendant could have pulled off to avoid further conflict if fearing for his safety. There were also two businesses which were open with people in the parking lots, who could be a witness in the altercation,” the officer said.
The “defendant willingly continued to travel southbound alongside the victim’s vehicle. The defendant claimed he was in fear for his safety,” the affidavit said. However, video coverage obtained from a local business showed Hobson and the victim’s vehicle waiting together at the red light after the shooting occurred.
“The defendant never attempted to call 911 to report the incident until after he fired his firearm at the victim,” police said.
Police located a bullet in the victim’s vehicle from the gunshot, with a hole in the driver-side front fender.
The office said the incident was an intentional and unlawful act that placed the victim in fear that violence was imminent and would have likely provided death or great bodily harm.
Hobson was charged with shooting a firearm into a dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal mischief and transported to the Brevard County Jail.
He was later released after posting a $32,000 bond.
