Des Moines police arrested a man after he allegedly pointed a handgun at two people in another vehicle following a traffic crash, according to authorities. The incident unfolded Friday afternoon when officers responded to reports of a driver displaying a firearm after a collision.
Police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Bradley Ratkovich. Investigators stated that evidence, including witness accounts and video, indicates Ratkovich exited his vehicle after the crash and pointed a Glock 9mm handgun at the 18-year-old driver and a 16-year-old female passenger of the other vehicle, also reportedly threatening to shoot.
Video shared online appears to show Ratkovich standing in front of the other vehicle and pointing a handgun toward its occupants. As a police cruiser arrived, an officer exited with a weapon drawn and ordered Ratkovich to drop the gun. Ratkovich then placed the handgun on the ground and was taken into custody by two officers without further incident.
A witness who recorded the encounter on X, formerly Twitter, urged Ratkovich to de-escalate the situation before police arrived. The witness described the incident as a road rage event that nearly turned deadly.
Following his arrest, Ratkovich was taken for a medical evaluation before being booked into the Polk County Jail. He faces charges including two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, two counts of first-degree harassment, and one count of being a person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. Court records indicate Ratkovich pleaded not guilty and has a bond set at $12,000. His arraignment is scheduled for September 9.
Authorities stated that introducing a firearm into a disagreement, such as a traffic crash, significantly increases the risk of violence. They advised individuals involved in crashes to call 911 for assistance and remain at the scene for officers to manage the situation safely.