WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A football coach at Lake Wales High School has been arrested in an apparent road rage incident involving a gun.
On June 18, 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 33-year-old Don Wayne Wise, Jr. of Winter Haven for three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm (F3) and one count of resisting arrest (M1) after he pointed a handgun at another motorist. Wise is a football coach at Lake Wales High School.
At around 3:30 p.m., detectives responded to the area of Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Overlook Drive in response to the incident.
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The victims told deputies that they were traveling eastbound on Cypress Gardens Blvd in the area of Overlook Drive when a blue Nissan Rogue bearing FL tag JUZU05 merged into their lane twice.
According to deputies when they stopped at the red light at Cypress Gardens Blvd and Overlook Drive, the suspect vehicle pulled into the left lane.
The vehicle’s passenger side window was down, and the victim stated to Wise, “You pulled into my lane twice.”
Deputies say that’s when Wise pointed a semi-automatic handgun at them.
The victims told deputies that the suspect pointed the firearm at them for a full 30 seconds, and the suspect’s actions placed the victims in fear that they would be shot.
Deputies ran the plate of the suspect vehicle and responded to the man’s address.
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“He was visibly upset and stood just inside the door. He demanded to know why we were present at his home. He was advised that we were at his residence due to a complaint that someone operating his vehicle pointed a firearm at two subjects,” said the affidavit.
Wise denied being in a “road rage” incident or pointing a firearm at anyone.
He told deputies that “at some point” he was on Cypress Gardens Blvd today and always carries a firearm.
“At this time, he crossed his arms over his chest, and his shirt lifted up. I was able to observe a black semi-automatic handgun in a holster carried in the waistband appendix position. Wise refused to answer any further questions, and I left his residence,” said the affidavit.
Deputies say the victims were able to identify Wise as the suspect from a photo lineup.
“Upon his arrest, he repeatedly refused the deputies’ commands to sit inside the patrol car, and physically resisted their efforts to place him inside, resulting in an additional charge of resisting arrest,” said PCSO.
Wise was transported to the Polk County Jail, where he was later released after paying a $15,500 bond.
“Coaches are supposed to be mentors and models for appropriate conduct. Losing your cool while driving and then brandishing a firearm is the complete opposite. I’m proud of my detectives for their quick work to apprehend the man responsible,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
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