POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Melbourne man is facing serious charges after a road rage incident escalated into an alleged aggravated assault with a firearm on Monday night.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Dustin Palmer was arrested at a RaceTrac gas station on US 27 near I-4 in Davenport around 11:25 PM.
The incident began when a driver reported to a PCSO deputy that the driver of a blue Jeep had brake-checked him multiple times on I-4 and then pointed a handgun at him.
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The victim had pulled into the RaceTrac, where the deputy was flagged down. Coincidentally, the suspect, later identified as Palmer, was also at the same gas station.
During the investigation, Palmer admitted to yelling at the victim for allegedly cutting him off in traffic but denied pointing a gun at him. He claimed he merely pointed his finger. However, deputies recovered a firearm from Palmer’s vehicle, located between the passenger seat and door.
Further investigation revealed that Palmer was driving under the influence. Deputies observed slurred speech, watery eyes, and the smell of alcohol on his breath.
Palmer admitted to consuming four “tallboy” beers earlier in the evening. Breathalyzer tests conducted at the Polk County Jail revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.198 and 0.196, more than twice the legal limit.
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Palmer was subsequently charged with:
- Aggravated Assault with a Firearm: A serious felony due to the use of a deadly weapon.
- Improper Exhibit of a Firearm: Brandishing a firearm in a threatening manner.
- DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol.
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