Miami-Dade Man Arrested After Traffic Altercation Escalates to Gun Display

Carlos Mario Acosta, 54, was arrested Monday following a traffic incident in southwest Miami-Dade that culminated in the suspect brandishing a firearm, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The confrontation occurred around 9:10 a.m. along Southwest 137th Avenue near Southwest 120th Street.

The victim reported that while traveling north on Southwest 137th Avenue, his vehicle became positioned at an angle after changing lanes. Deputies stated that Acosta then drove extremely close to the rear driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle, and when the traffic light turned green, Acosta attempted to pass and sideswiped another car in the process.

According to the arrest report, Acosta approached the victim’s vehicle and pulled on the door handle before running in front of it. He lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun while gripping the weapon, then returned to his own vehicle and secured the gun inside.

During questioning, Acosta provided a conflicting account, claiming the victim had approached his vehicle first. Acosta stated he kept his gun accessible due to uncertainty about the victim’s intentions and that he positioned himself in front of the victim’s car to prevent him from leaving.

Acosta was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. As of Tuesday afternoon, he remained held on a $3,000 bond.