ARMSTRONG
by WES FERGUSON
Police say a driver opened fire at another motorist who wouldn’t dim his headlights early Sunday on Interstate 35 just south of downtown Kyle.
In a fit of road rage, Garry Armstrong, 23, of San Antonio drove past the victim’s car and shot it three times, police say, leaving bullet holes in the front quarter panel, front door and rear door on the passenger side of the 2002 Nissan Altima.
“The victim saw the handgun, then saw the muzzle flash as it fired,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said.
The other driver, a 24-year-old San Antonio man, pulled over and flagged down a police officer, and authorities issued an all-points bulletin. New Braunfels police stopped Armstrong’s 2011 Ford Crown Victoria minutes later.
Officers interviewed Armstrong and his two adult passengers, then received consent to search the car, finding a loaded, black Taurus handgun in the trunk, Barnett said.
Armstrong was arrested and transported to the Hays County Jail, where he remained this week on $60,000 bond. He is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The victim told police the incident began when Armstrong pulled up behind him and flashed his headlights. The man said he slowed down to let Armstrong pass him, but the two began flashing their lights at each other as the exchange escalated.
Barnett said Armstrong appeared to be aiming his fire at the other driver, and not just the car.
“He was definitely shooting into the passenger compartment,” Barnett said. “You’ve got to be careful because you never know the mindset of the individual in the other vehicle.”
According to court records in Bexar County, Armstrong recently faced a felony charge of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. Records show the case was dismissed in November, however, due to a missing witness.
