High school football coach arrested after road rage incident involving a weapon – News Block

Lake Wales High School (Fla.) football coach Don Wayne Wise Jr. is facing charges after allegedly drawing a weapon during a road rage incident on June 18.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, the victims testified that an individual pointed a gun at them at a traffic light after the suspect’s blue Nissan Rogue merged into their lane multiple times. As he pointed the firearm at the victims, for “a full 30 seconds,” the suspect allegedly yelled, “You ran into my lane twice.”

According to the report, the incident did not escalate beyond that, and detectives were eventually able to trace the Nissan Rogue’s license plate back to Wise, who was “visibly upset when (detectives) went to his home.

Wise denied that any road rage incidents took place, but admitted to being in the area, known as Cypress Gardens Blvd., during that day. He also admitted to wearing a fire jacket, which he showed detectives by lifting up his shirt.

After that, he refused to answer any more questions.

The victims identified Wise as the suspect who pointed the gun at them during a photo row, and he was later arrested.

According to the arrest report, Wise was uncooperative, even going as far as refusing to sit in the police car, leading to one count of resisting arrest along with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Wise was released after posting $15,500 bail.

Lakes Wales went 15-0 last season, winning the 3S District 8 state title after defeating Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) 32-30.

No statement has been made from the school at this time.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd issued this statement about the 33-year-old football coach:

“Coaches are supposed to be mentors and role models for proper behavior. Losing your cool while driving and then brandishing a firearm is anything but. I am proud of my detectives for their quick work in apprehending the man responsible.”