Queensbury Shooting Linked To Road Rage

The November 27th shooting incident that occurred in the Queensbury Route 9 Walmart parking lot is now believed to have started as a road rage incident. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said that this incident, which occurred in the area of Northway Plaza led to a reported physical confrontation and shooting. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested Adrian Simental, age 33. He has been charged with felony counts of attempted first-degree assault, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty to these charges on Wednesday, November 30th, at the Warren County CAP Court; Simental was remanded to Warren County Jail in lieu of the necessary bail. He is expected back in court Monday, December 6, at 9:00 AM.

Aggressive driving can take many forms: whether it be tailgating, weaving, poorly timed lane changes, or speeding. The AAA Foundation for Public Safety says aggressive driving is a factor in 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes: episodes of road rage have resulted in 30 deaths and 1,800 injuries in a single year.

Road rage occurs when a driver experiences extreme aggression or anger, leading them to intend to cause physical harm. There are steps one can take when involved in a road rage situation: The first thing to do is remain calm, and focus on driving safely. Do not engage the other driver or return hand gestures, and avoid eye contact. Keep your seatbelt buckled, in case of unexpected braking. If someone is following you due to a road rage situation, try to pull into a police station, or at least a public space; it is recommended that you avoid going home until the altercation is dealt with. If possible, write down a description of the car – including its license plate number – and some details about the driver. When you feel that it is safe, call 911. 

This road rage incident in Queensbury ended in a shooting. Warren County Sheriff Jim Lafarr said, “We strongly encourage everyone to avoid confrontation when faced with aggressive driving encounters, and we ask the public to seek assistance from law enforcement when confronted by a ‘road rage’ incident, rather than attempting to resolve these matters themselves.”