Angry driver allegedly fires crossbow

updated 10:53 a.m. ET Oct. 17, 2006

LITTLE ROCK - A man who allegedly shot a crossbow at a motorist after being on the receiving end of an obscene gesture has been charged with committing a terroristic act.

Wayne Allen Dierks, Jr. 26, was arrested Sunday and is also charged with possession of an instrument of crime, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended driver's license.

The incident began when a motorist cut in front of Dierks' sport utility vehicle. Steve Gilgenbach, the motorist, said that Dierks then began pursuing him in his SUV, yelling and cursing at him and then fired the crossbow, shattering Gilgenbach's rear window.

"It sounds funny to tell it, but it wasn't so funny after I found out it will cost $400 to replace the window," Gilgenbach told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for a Tuesday story.

'It was a drive-by crossbow shooting," said Gilgenbach.

No recollection of obscene gesture
A police report said that Gilgenbach admitted to making an obscene gesture at Dierks, but the motorist on Monday said he could not recall that incident.

Gilgenbach said he called authorities and followed Dierks until the police arrived. But Dierks pulled into a parking lot and "aimed the crossbow at me again," he said.

After Dierks' arrest, officers found a crossbow with a scope, four crossbow bolts and a cooler containing 11 unopened beers and one opened can. Dierks registered 0.12 on a blood-alcohol test, above the legal limit of 0.08.

Archery-crossbow hunting seasons for deer, bear and turkey began Oct. 1 so it is not extraordinary that someone might be carrying a crossbow in their vehicle this time of year.

Dierks 26, has posted bail and is free until his arraignment on Oct. 25.

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