Parker County Road-Rage Confrontation Ends With Gunshot Through Windshield, Man Arrested
PARKER COUNTY, Texas - A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a road-rage confrontation near Poolville escalated into gunfire, with a bullet passing through another driver's windshield, according to the Parker County Sheriff's Office.
Thomas Earl Jones Jr. of Fort Worth was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 1, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.
Deputies responded around 2:24 p.m. to a residence in the Poolville area after a driver called 911 to report the confrontation.
Investigators said Jones had been driving on FM 920 when he drove close to the victim's vehicle. The two drivers apparently exchanged gestures before the victim drove to a residence in the Poolville area.
Jones followed the victim, according to Sgt. Shane Cartwright, public information officer for the Parker County Sheriff's Office.
After the victim parked in a private driveway, Jones drove past the property, turned around and returned, investigators said.
Jones stopped in front of the residence and yelled threats before a gunshot was fired, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The bullet struck the victim's vehicle, passed through the windshield and shattered the rear glass.
The victim then retrieved a handgun and fired several shots toward Jones as he drove away. Neither Jones nor his vehicle was struck.
Weatherford police officers later stopped Jones near the 1800 block of Mineral Wells Highway.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found a disassembled 9mm handgun with its components scattered throughout the vehicle, according to investigators.
The Sheriff's Office said Jones admitted during questioning that he followed the victim, went to the residence and fired the handgun. Investigators said Jones told them he was angry and acknowledged that he should not have acted as he did.
Jones was booked into the Parker County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond has been set at $500,000.
