Audrain County Man Charged In Apparent Road Rage Incident

A Martinsburg man was charged on Friday with four felonies after being accused of firing a shot at a vehicle along Highway 54 in Mexico.

42-year-old Jessie L. Deere is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and first-degree harassment.

The charges stem from an incident on November 7th, 2024 where Deere is accused of firing a .38 caliber-handgun at another driver as a warning shot in a road-rage incident according to the probable cause statement.

Deere and the victim were at the Clark Street and Highway 54 intersection when the shot was fired according to the statement.

The victim told police that he and Deere were driving north on Highway 54 when he tried to pass Deere, the statement says.

Deere allegedly sped up, used an offensive hand gesture and pointed the gun at the victim.

As they went to the exit ramp on to Clark Street, Deere pulled beside the victim, got out, and fired a shot, the statement says.

The victim told police, Deere returned to his vehicle and drove away.

Deere admitted to firing a shot near the victim, saying the man had threatened to physically assault him after tailgating his vehicle, the statement says.

Deere said he fired the gun in the direction of Walmart according to the statement.

As of Friday, Deere was in the Audrain County Jail without bond.