Bartow, Fla. – Polk County deputies arrested 64-year-old Stephen J. Phillips of Mulberry following a road rage incident on Sunday, December 14, 2025, that involved a firearm and left a family, including a 3-year-old child, in fear for their lives.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the victims were traveling southbound on Harden Boulevard near Pipkin Road when Phillips, driving a Hyundai Santa Fe, reportedly performed a “brake check” and drove erratically. After passing Phillips’ vehicle, both cars stopped side by side at a traffic light.
At that time, Phillips displayed a silver semi-automatic firearm, pointing it toward the victims while placing his finger on the trigger. The victims reported that he also made repeated racial slurs during the incident. Detectives later obtained a photograph showing Phillips holding a .22 caliber Phoenix Arms HP firearm.
Phillips initially denied displaying the weapon but later admitted to pulling it, claiming he did not intend to point it at the victims.
Sheriff Grady Judd said, “Brandishing a firearm at innocent people—especially a child—is unacceptable. Road rage that escalates into violence will not be tolerated, and my detectives acted quickly to put this man behind bars.”
Phillips was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm.
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