'Get In Your Car': IL Driver Pulls Gun On Man In Road Rage Case

RICHMOND, IL — The Richmond Police Department is investigating a downtown road rage incident that was recorded on video Tuesday involving a driver who got out of his car and another driver who pulled out a gun, Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported. According to the news report, Bart Surroz, of Wisconsin, said a man in a red Jeep was driving recklessly behind him on Route 12 around 4:45 p.m. and started honking his horn at Surroz. In the video, the driver, identified as Brian Schimian, of Richmond, is seen sitting in his car and pointing his concealed carry gun at Surroz, according to the report, and can be heard yelling “Get in your car” to Surroz.

Richmond police were called, but Surroz said that they did not arrest Schimian.

According to a Facebook post by Surroz, a police officer said he recognized Schimian as a firefighter, or someone who used to be a firefighter, and that because he had a concealed carry permit he was within his rights to put the gun in Surroz's face because he told officers he was "terrified of his life." Schimian's Facebook page however, states he started a job with the Richmond Police Department in September 2017, which is still listed as "present."

"And all I did was get out of my car because he kept beeping at a dead stop," Surroz wrote on Facebook. "I thought I hit something or he was trying to alert me that I'm dragging something behind my car. I had no idea he was upset and angry with me. I don't even know why! He was just behind me holding on the horn so I got out in dead stop traffic trying to figure out what the heck is going on. "

Surroz said he was called to the Richmond Police Department Wednesday because authorities wanted to learn more about the situation.

"I spoke with the chief directly and one of his officers and instead of being an on the side of the road quick investigation," Surroz said, adding that officers put "real time" into understanding what happened.

Schimian also posted video on Facebook Tuesday evening from his Jeep’s dashcam (seen above).

Surroz said the incident is now under investigation by the Richmond Police Department, and Lake and McHenry County Scanner added that it's being reviewed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Patch will continue updating this piece as new information comes in.