ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A family visiting Orlando said their vacation nearly turned tragic when a man pointed a gun at them during a road rage incident in the heart of the city’s tourism district.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred Tuesday afternoon along International Drive, near the eastbound exit ramp of State Road 528.
Deputies arrested 33-year-old Stevon DeSouza, who faced a judge Wednesday on a charge of felony aggravated assault with a firearm.
[VIDEO BELOW: Man jailed in road rage case]
Investigators said DeSouza slowed his vehicle because the travel lane near International Drive “was not clear.”
The victim, driving behind him with his wife and child, reportedly began honking. According to the arrest report, when the victim’s vehicle passed DeSouza’s, the driver claimed DeSouza pointed a black, Glock-style handgun at the family.
The family was en route from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to the Orange County Convention Center, authorities said.
The victim told deputies that “there was no doubt in his mind” the man was going to shoot at them.
Deputies said DeSouza then pulled into the parking lot of a Red Lobster along International Drive, where law enforcement later located and arrested him. According to deputies, DeSouza admitted to holding up his firearm but denied pointing it at anyone.
During DeSouza’s first court appearance, a judge ordered him to surrender any weapons within 24 hours of his release and to have no contact with the victims or witnesses.
News 6 spoke with the victim through text message. He confirmed that his family was in town on vacation.
DeSouza’s bond was set at $5,000.