PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A 64-year-old man from Port St. Lucie was arrested after, police say, he pulled a gun on someone waiting for a parking space at a Publix in Tradition.
The road rage incident occurred Sunday at 2:20 p.m. at the Publix located at 10400 Southwest Village Center Drive.
Master Sgt. Dominick Mesiti explains how you should de-escalate a road rage situation
Port St. Lucie police said the suspect, later identified as Adam Falek, drove up behind the victim, who was waiting for a parking space.
Falek repeatedly honked his horn as the victim waited for car to back out of a parking space, according to an arrest affidavit.
Surveillance video showed the victim get out of his car and walk over to Falek's car.
Port St. Lucie Master Sgt. Dominick Mesisiti said the victim in this case was not confrontational.
“He walked up, remained away from the suspect's vehicle, and kind of did like a ‘hey dude, you know what? What's up?’” said Mesiti.
According to the affidavit, the victim asked Falek to stop honking his horn while he waited for parking space and that's when Falek pulled out a gun with a scope on it.
“It's uncalled for,” said Mesiti. “We're going to take this very seriously.”
WATCH: Body cam footage of Adam Falek being detained
The victim returned to his car while Falek yelled out "vulgar" comments.
A person with the victim called police and was able to get a photo of the suspect's car and license plate.
Police arrived and reviewed Publix's surveillance footage of the incident in the parking lot, which supported the victim's statement.
Port St. Lucie police were able to locate Falek a short time later. Body cam video showed Falek being detained by police and placed in the back of a patrol car.
WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield spoke with drivers in the same parking lot who said they are surprised something like this happened here.
“When their impatient you never know what could happen,” said Willey Titus, from Port St. Lucie. “You never know what another person is going through that day.”
“I’ve been here for four years and never seen it personally myself,” said Ken Hemrick.
Mesiti told WPTV the safest thing to do in any road rage incident is to remain in your vehicle and de-escalate.
“Remove yourself from the situation,” said Mesiti. “Let the guy behind you honk his horn as much as he wants.”
Falek faces one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with out the intent to kill. He is out of jail on bond.
