Man charged with four felonies in Mexican road rage incident

COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ)

An Audrain County man was charged with four felonies Friday after he allegedly fired a shot at a vehicle on Highway 54.

Jessie L. Deere, of Martinsburg, Missouri, is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree harassment.

According to a probable cause statement, Deere is accused of firing a .38-caliber handgun at another driver as a “warning shot” during a road rage incident Thursday morning. Deere and the victim were at the intersection of Clark Street and Highway 54 when the shot was fired, the statement said.

The victim told police he and Deere were driving north on Highway 54 when he tried to pass Deere, the statement said. Deere allegedly accelerated, made an offensive hand gesture and pointed a gun at the victim.

As they entered the Clark Street exit, Deere pulled up next to the victim, got out and fired one shot, the statement said. Deere returned to his vehicle and drove away, the victim allegedly told police.

Deere admitted firing a shot near the victim and said the man threatened to physically attack him after tailgating his vehicle, the statement said. According to the statement, Deere said he fired the gun toward Walmart.

Deere remained in the Audrain County Jail on Friday without bail.