Alachua County, FL – A 27-year-old man was arrested Wednesday evening after deputies say he pointed an AR-style pistol at another driver during a road rage confrontation on NW 39th Avenue in Gainesville, FL.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when the victim reported that a red Toyota Tercel pulled alongside him as he traveled west on NW 39th Avenue. The driver of the Toyota, later identified as Ja’len Javon Parks of Newberry, allegedly threw a coffee cup out of his window, striking the victim’s vehicle.
The victim caught up to the Toyota in traffic and asked why the cup had been thrown. Deputies say Parks responded by pulling an AR pistol from his waistband, raising it and pointing it at the victim, who feared he was about to be shot.
The victim recorded the vehicle’s tag number and called 911. Deputies confirmed an aggravated assault had occurred and began searching the area.
A short time later, deputies spotted the Toyota traveling south on SW 186th Street near Newberry Road. A traffic stop was conducted, and Parks was taken into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle turned up an AR pistol on the rear floorboard. Parks was the only person in the vehicle.
Parks is a former defensive tackle for the Florida State Seminoles, playing for the team from 2017 to 2019. According to his LinkedIn profile, he currently works for UF Health.
Parks was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.
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