2023-12-29 09:14:52
A 40-year-old US Air Force sergeant is facing multiple charges after pointing a gun at a 19-year-old woman during a road rage incident in Surprise, Arizona.
Shi’anna Bamba captured the encounter on camera, showing Sergeant Charles Bass pointing a handgun at her and asking if she “wants to die,” according to court documents seen by 12 News. The incident occurred around 8:45 AM on December 5 near a busy intersection.
Bamba claimed in court documents that she accidentally cut Bass off in traffic before the two stopped at a red light. It was there that Bass pointed the gun at her twice, lowering it momentarily before raising it again and making the threatening enquiry. According to police reports, Bass had his finger on the trigger during the second instance.
The woman’s father recognised Bass from the video the following day and reported him to authorities. Bass was arrested on December 15.
When questioned, Bass admitted to pointing the gun but claimed the teenager had been “driving erratically.” He attributed his actions to “PTSD and hypervigilance issues,” stating that when he saw Bamba roll down her window, he panicked and reacted based on his military training.
However, when asked why he pointed the gun again after realising she was young, Bass reportedly offered no explanation and declined to discuss the verbal exchange during the incident.
He has been booked on multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Surprise Police Department and the US Air Force are investigating the incident.
