I-4 Motorist Arrested After Allegedly Pointing Gun At Deputy's Patrol Car

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – A 22-year old was arrested Sunday night after allegedly making shooting gestures with his hand then pointing a real weapon at a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy's vehicle while traveling east along Interstate 4, officials said.

Nico Torres of Orlando was arrested at 11:50 p.m. near Branch Forbes Road on suspicion of driving under the influence, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and carrying a concealed weapon, the department said.

Torres, behind the wheel of a gray Nissan Versa, drove up at a "high rate of speed" behind and in a lane alongside a deputy's marked vehicle, according to the agency. Another deputy several car-lengths behind reported that Torres extended his arm out of his window "forming his fingers into the shape of a gun and mimic firing" at the patrol car.

The deputy in the trailing car said Torres brought his arm back inside his vehicle for a brief moment and then extended it back out the window, but this time was holding a black semi-automatic firearm and pointing it at the squad car. No other vehicles were near or between the suspect and the deputy, the department said. Torres was stopped and taken into custody without incident.

A Glock 17 was located in Torres' car's floorboard with a round in the chamber and no magazine attached, officials said, adding that the magazine was found in the glove compartment.

A DUI unit responded to the scene, tested Torres and he was arrested for alleged impaired driving, along with the other charges.

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--Image via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office