DULUTH, GA – A road rage altercation in Duluth, Georgia, escalated dramatically when a man allegedly followed through on a threat to shoot after counting to three. Josue Colon Matos, 30, is now facing several charges, including aggravated assault and reckless driving, and remains in custody without bail at the Gwinnett County Jail.

Authorities responded to the incident around 8 p.m. on December 23, in the 3800 block of Pleasant Hill Road, about 30 miles from Atlanta.

According to police reports, officers found a man with a gunshot wound to his left foot at the scene. The injured individual explained to the responding officers that the ordeal began with Matos tailgating him aggressively.

The confrontation reached a turning point when the victim decided to pull into a parking lot with Matos following closely behind. Once parked, the two engaged in a heated exchange, during which Matos allegedly drew a firearm. Police documents state that Matos gave the victim a warning and began to count to three before pulling the trigger.

Surveillance footage tracked by local police played a crucial role in tracking Matos, leading to his subsequent arrest. Despite the charges, his lawyer is arguing that Matos acted in self-defense, suggesting that the other driver was the initial aggressor in the encounter.

The case has attracted local media attention, with body camera footage from Duluth officers responding to the road rage scene showing the victim’s disbelief about being shot. “I can’t believe he shot me … He was tailgating me,” he expressed to police. The victim who was shot in the foot was promptly transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

Matos awaits a court hearing scheduled for January 17, where more details might come to light regarding the defense’s position and the events that unfolded that evening. The incident has sparked discussions on driving-related confrontations and how quickly they can turn violent when conflicts escalate.

As the investigation continues, the community is watching how the justice system will address this alarming case of road rage turned violent. The legal proceedings are set to determine the truth behind Matos’ actions and whether they were justified or criminally reckless.