Authorities Probe Two Road Rage Cases Where Guns Were Shown

JOHNSTON COUNTY — Johnston County authorities are looking into two separate road rage encounters just a day apart that both ended with guns being displayed.

The first call came in on Nov. 8, when a woman in a neighborhood near NE Flowers Parkway outside Clayton said a speeding vehicle flew past her home while she was unloading groceries. The woman told deputies she yelled for the driver to slow down. The vehicle stopped, and during a heated exchange, one of the occupants reportedly showed a firearm — though it was never aimed or fired. Deputies searched the area but couldn’t find the vehicle.

Less than 24 hours later, Smithfield police responded to another road rage report — this time in the Walmart parking lot off North Brightleaf Boulevard. A Smithfield man told officers he accidentally cut off another driver on the way to Walmart. The other motorist followed him into the parking lot, assaulted him and displayed a gun before leaving the area, police said.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from Walmart that confirmed the victim’s account and helped identify a suspect. A warrant has been issued, but police said the suspect’s name won’t be released until it is served.

The victim sustained minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.