WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man was taken into custody after authorities discovered a video circulating online showing him pointing a gun at another driver at an intersection in West Palm Beach.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) reported that on June 17, detectives viewed the video capturing the incident of road rage.
In the footage, the suspect can be seen outside of his vehicle, pointing and waving his gun at the driver in front of him while stopped at a red light on Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard.
Deputies stated that the man posed a threat to the unidentified individual and endangered multiple people in the surrounding vehicles.
The video showed the unknown person pleading with the suspect, even resorting to putting their hands in a praying gesture while trying to walk away from the armed man.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators identified the person wielding the gun as Ernie Tirado, a 20-year-old individual.
Several witnesses at the scene were able to identify Tirado and his black Honda, as the vehicle’s license plate was visible in the video, leading to his identification.
The sheriff’s office disclosed that Tirado made numerous threatening statements during the incident, such as, “You don’t know who you’re f—— with, I’ll shoot your b—- a—.” The arrest report further indicated that Tirado said, “I’m going to f——- kill you.”
On June 23, around 6 a.m., the PBSO SWAT team executed a residential search warrant at Tirado’s residence on N. Congress Avenue.
Upon entering the residence, the SWAT team found it to be empty. Roughly 30 minutes later, Tirado and his girlfriend returned in the black Honda CRV. Law enforcement agents pulled over the vehicle, and Tirado informed investigators that he had a BB gun inside a shoebox. He was then placed in handcuffs while the car was searched.
During the search of the Honda CRV, authorities discovered a black semi-automatic Glock-style airsoft pistol.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that to an untrained observer or when used in a threatening manner, it can be challenging to differentiate whether the gun is real.
Additionally, multiple shotgun shells and two live 9mm rounds were found inside the car.
The sheriff’s office proceeded to arrest Tirado and charge him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, improper display of a firearm, and engaging in a criminal offense.
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