Overview
- The encounter occurred around 1 p.m. on March 10 in a Buckeye parking lot near Watson Road, according to police.
- After the woman honked, a Jeep Gladiator driver allegedly grabbed an AR-15–style rifle and pointed it at her before she left and called 911.
- Using a Real Time Information Center and a license-plate reader, investigators identified 32-year-old Erik Nelson French and arrested him about two hours later at a shopping plaza across the street.
- French was booked into Maricopa County Jail on a felony count of disorderly conduct with a weapon, received a $10,000 bond, and has a preliminary hearing set for March 19.
- Court documents say officers found a rifle under the back seat and note French admitted brandishing it after being honked at twice, while police emphasized leaving the area and calling 911; no injuries were reported.