What started as a diesel truck spewing black smoke on a St. Cloud street turned into a road-rage confrontation that now has one man facing a felony charge after police say he pulled a handgun on another driver Sunday evening.
According to the criminal complaint, the dispute began after the victim said another vehicle cut him off, then repeatedly brake-checked him after his diesel truck blew black smoke. The victim told officers he recorded video of the encounter and later handed over both that footage and a photo of the other vehicle's license plate to investigators.
What police say
Charging documents filed in Stearns County District Court name 38-year-old Marlowe Montgomery as the suspect and allege he took out a handgun and pointed it at the other motorist, according to WJON. The complaint states that officers later executed a search warrant at Montgomery's home and recovered a spent 9mm shell casing.
Booking and court status
The Stearns County jail roster lists 38-year-old Marlowe Montgomery as having been booked on Sunday and currently in county custody, according to Stearns County records. Officials note that a booking alone does not establish guilt, and that any formal charges and future court dates will be reflected in official court filings.
Suspect's statement and charges
Prosecutors have filed a felony threats charge in Stearns County District Court, WJON reports. According to the complaint, Montgomery, in a mirandized statement to police, denied having a gun and denied being involved in the road-rage incident at all.
The victim, however, reportedly identified Montgomery in a police photo lineup after providing the license-plate image that investigators say helped link the vehicle to him. Prosecutors will determine their next steps as the case moves through the filing and court process.
Broader context
Incidents where tempers flare behind the wheel and escalate into threats or gunfire have drawn national concern, with Everytown Research documenting a rise in shootings tied to driver disputes in recent years. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's Traffic Safety Culture Index likewise finds aggressive driving is widespread, a combination that experts say can turn everyday frustrations on the road into something far more dangerous when firearms are involved.
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