North Carolina Priest Arrested for Allegedly Brandishing Gun in Road Rage Incident

William Rian Adams now faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Image via Martin County Sheriff’s Office
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Image via Martin County Sheriff’s Office

Image via Martin County Sheriff’s Office

William Rian Adams of Fletcher, North Carolina has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault after allegedly pointing a gun at two adjacent passengers from another car in what is being reported as a road rage incident.

According to police records, Adams, was driving his red Corvette in Palm City, Florida on July 6, when an SUV began trailing him. That’s when the 35-year-old allegedly took some action not exactly befitting a man of the cloth.

“He attempted to brake check a Chevrolet Silverado pickup that was closely following his vehicle,” reported the Palm Beach Post. “The driver of the pickup attempted to go around Adams’ vehicle, prompting Adams to point the weapon, authorities alleged.”

A Florida Highway Patrol report cites Adams claiming the two occupants of the SUV rolled down the window, screamed at Adams, and threw a drink at his car. Adams—who is listed as a rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, North Carolina—confirmed he had the weapon on him. The handgun in question was a Glock-22, which Adams maintained was not loaded and kept under his passenger seat.

The 24-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman in the SUV called police, prompting a nearby state trooper to pull Adams over.

Twitter users had no shortage of puns upon hearing of Adams’ arrest.

Did the power of Christ compel him to flash his Glock? Gun-wielding priest arrested in road rage incident. f.@pbpost https://t.co/B6CYehEcnf
A member of our well regulated militia (and a priest) pulls a gun after brake-checking another driver. https://t.co/UdLXP7ph2u
Who knew priests packed heat and drove red Corvettes? https://t.co/r9aHjKxxSY

Adams has since posted the $15,000 bail at Martin County Jail and been released.

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