PINEVILLE, La. (WNTZ) – A Dry Prong man was arrested this week after deputies say he fired a handgun during a road rage incident in the Tioga area.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened around 6 p.m. Sept. 12 on U.S. 167 southbound. According to investigators, a motorist reported that another driver brandished a handgun and fired it while driving aggressively. The victim was not injured and was able to drive to safety before calling law enforcement.

Sheriff’s detectives with the Tioga Sub-station identified the suspect as Thomas Manuel Lopez, 37, of Dry Prong. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for two counts of assault by drive-by shooting and illegal use of a weapon.

Because Lopez lives in Grant Parish, Rapides detectives requested help from the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Dry Prong Police Department. On Sept. 16, Lopez was located and arrested without incident. He was booked into the Grant Parish Jail before being extradited to Rapides Parish, where he was booked into the detention center.

Lopez was later released on a $15,000 bond.

The sheriff’s office thanked Grant Parish deputies and Dry Prong police for their assistance.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.