2nd road rage may involve gun, ends in assault charges

A Maricopa man has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly following another driver home and threatening him with a firearm following a road-rage incident. The quarrel happened four days before a much-publicized road-rage confrontation this week.

Maricopa police reports indicate Russell E. Klock, 57, was arrested and charged with assault and aggravated assault after he allegedly punched a motorist during an altercation at a stoplight and then followed the individual home, where he proceeded to threaten him with a gun.

The initial altercation June 22 occurred at the intersection of John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway,where, according to the report, Klock, apparently angered by another driver, Edwin Gonzales, began a verbal exchange with him that escalated to a physical confrontation.

“The verbal altercation turned physical when Russell got out of his vehicle, approached the driver side of Edwin’s vehicle when the window was rolled down and struck Edwin on the left forearm, leaving a red mark,” the report stated.

Klock then allegedly followed Gonzales to his home where he threatened Gonzales with the firearm. Gonzales, “fearing for his life,” attempted to defend himself by throwing a shovel at Klock’s vehicle, but missed.

After attempting to retrieve the shovel from the street, Gonzales claims, Klock proceeded to chase him with his gun drawn and pointed at Gonzales.

According to the report, the two men then ran around Klock’s vehicle in a “clock-wise” direction when Gonzales began yelling for help, asking two neighbors who were outside at the time to call 911.

At that time Klock allegedly got back in his vehicle, yelled,“I know where you live,” and drove off, according to the report.

Based on the two witnesses’ statements, police proceeded to question Klock, who allegedly admitted to being involved in the incident, though he did not admit to drawing a weapon or pointing it at Gonzales.

Klock has been charged with assault for allegedly striking Gonzales on the forearm, and aggravated assault for allegedly chasing and threatening Gonzales with a firearm.

Arizona Revised Statute classifies the act of “Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person” as a Class 1 misdemeanor Assault punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The Arizona Revised Statute further classifies aggravated assault as simple assault “using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in the commission of the offense,” elevating the crime from a misdemeanor to a Class 3 felony punishable by 5-15 years in prison.

Monday, another road-rage incident on State Route 347 had drivers breaking each other’s windows at the stoplight at Smith-Enke Road.