Army veteran empties gun at woman’s vehicle in road rage incident, police say

COLUMBUS, Ga. — An Army combat veteran is accused of firing at least nine shots at another vehicle during a road rage incident in southwest Georgia, authorities said.

Joe Harvey, of Columbus, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and reckless conduct, WRBL reported. Harvey was jailed without bond after a confrontation in the parking lot of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Columbus around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

According to police, Harvey aimed at the front end of a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Velisha Hearlson, whose 15-year-old daughter was a passenger, the newspaper reported. Police said Harvey’s first five shots hit the hood of his Chevrolet Silverado pickup, while the other four shots hit the hood of the Trailblazer.

During Harvey’s preliminary hearing Friday, Columbus Officer Michael Clements testified that Harvey and Hearlson were both headed east on the boulevard when Hearlson moved into Harvey’s lane. Harvey said he believed he had been cut off, and followed her into the parking lot at Dick’s Sporting Goods, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Clements testified the two drivers exchanged profane insults before Harvey at first brandished his then-unloaded pistol, and then loaded it as Hearlson revved her engine, the newspaper reported. Harvey then stepped on the running board of his vehicle and began shooting, Clements testified.

After surrendering to police, Harvey admitted shooting at Hearlson’s SUV, Clements testified, adding that Harvey had a previous road rage incident in which he stomped on his brakes because he believed the driver behind him was tailgating, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Harvey’s attorney, Ralston Jarrett, said Harvey is a combat war veteran who retired in 2018 suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Desert Storm, and he said he hopes his client can receive mental help, WRBL reported.

“He’s seen some things as a vet, as many have,” Jarrett told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Hearlson, 39, said she did not believe Harvey’s PTSD excused his conduct.

“I think he doesn’t need to be on the road, and he definitely don’t need to own a gun,” Hearlson told the newspaper.

Cox Media Group