Man points gun at couple during road rage incident in Orlando, police say

A 26-year-old man accused of pointing a gun at a couple during a road rage incident in Orlando was located and arrested a month later in Lake County.

According to the Orlando Police Department, at around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, officers responded to the 300 block of N Crystal Lake Drive in reference to an aggravated assault incident involving a firearm.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a married couple who advised that they were heading eastbound on State Road 408 when they saw a white Dodge Charger pass them on the shoulder of the roadway.

The couple advised that the driver of the Charger – later identified by police as J.R. Jean Philippe – pulled his car next to their SUV. He then allegedly lowered his window, pointed a gun at the couple’s vehicle, placed a round into the gun’s chamber, and told the couple that “they were lucky he did not kill them.”

During the incident, the couple managed to take a photo of the Charger’s license plate. That picture led officers to the registered address for the vehicle, though they were unable to find the car.

OPD stated that on Wednesday, September 4, detectives were advised that the same Charger from the alleged road rage incident had been stopped for a traffic violation near the intersection of Orange Avenue and South Street.

The driver of the Charger was identified as Philippe. He told law enforcement that “no one else drives his Charger,” and he allegedly admitted to “often (being) involved in road rage incidents.”

According to Orlando police, Philippe advised that a semi-automatic pistol was inside the Charger, and the firearm “matched the description provided by the (couple).” Detectives also gathered additional evidence, including road surveillance footage, which “corroborated the (couple’s) accounts.”

An investigation by OPD eventually led to probable cause being established for Philippe’s arrest.

On Friday, September 20, law enforcement located Philippe in Lake County, and he was taken into custody. He is being charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.