Barrow County Deputies Respond to Report of Road Rage Involving Firearm

A Winder man was arrested following a reported incident of road rage involving a gun. 

About 4:30 p.m. March 30, 2012, a deputy with the  was dispatched to the area of Ga. Highway 316 Eastbound near Patrick Mill Road in reference to report of road rage involving a firearm.

The suspect vehicle was spotted in a turn lane at Ga. Highway 82 and the deputy initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled over in the  parking lot, where the deputy made contact with the driver. 

When the officer asked the driver, who identified himself as Jeffrey Craig Hatcher of 433 Aberdeen Way in Winder, about the incident, the man said he did have a firearm in the center console of his vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the deputy secured a 38 Smith and Wesson Revolver. 

The driver told the deputy he works for a security company and was required to carry a firearm as part of his job.

The man said he had tried to pass a vehicle with two teenagers inside but they would not let him pass. He was finally able to pass them but said he never showed them his firearm.

While a deputy was speaking with the suspect, a second law enforcement officer spoke with the complainants, who had also pulled into the Chick-fil-A parking lot. The individuals were asked to describe the firearm and what happened. Both complainants said the driver had pulled out a chrome revolver and pointed it at them. 

When a deputy read the suspect his rights, the man said he had not shown or pointed the firearm at anyone.

Hatcher was placed under arrest. 

While en route to the Barrow County Detention Center, the officer asked the man if he understood why he was being detained. According to an incident report, Hatcher responded, "When you show people a badge they automatically assume you have a gun."

The suspect was referring to a security badge that had been located in his vehicle. 

Hatcher is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of terroristic threats and acts and two counts of impersonating a peace officer.

Do you experience occasional or even regular road rage? What are the things other drivers do that make you the maddest? Tell us in comments.