An Armstrong man is being held without bond in the Boone County Jail after he allegedly fired two shots from a handgun at another driver during a road-rage incident last Monday evening, October 19, on Route J.

Dillon Ray Ames, 30, faces two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of driving while intoxicated as a prior offender, and one count of operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, all felonies.

According to a probable cause statement by Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Moore, deputies were dispatched to Route J in Boone County for a report of shots fired. The caller, Clinton Barger, said the driver of another vehicle pointed a gun at him and fired two shots.

Barger told deputies the incident began earlier on eastbound Highway 40. He said Ames attempted to pass several cars, causing oncoming traffic to swerve onto the shoulder, then cut in front of his vehicle and brake-checked him. Barger said he was able to pass Ames, turned northbound on Route J, and was followed. Ames accelerated toward him and tailgated, prompting Barger to hit his brakes in an effort to get Ames to back off. Barger said he then saw Ames raise a black handgun with his left hand and point it at the truck before hearing two shots.

Barger’s passenger, Shannon Barnett, said he heard two gunshots but did not see the weapon.

A passenger in Ames’ vehicle told deputies she had asked to be let out of the car because of his driving behavior. She said she did not see him raise the gun but knew he had one in the vehicle.

Ames was later arrested without incident in the parking lot of C&R Market by Fayette police. He was transported to the Boone County Jail.

According to the probable cause statement, Ames later confirmed that the .45-caliber handgun recovered from his vehicle was his. He also admitted he is a convicted felon and knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm, according to the statement.

Ames also admitted to drinking a 12-pack of beer between 10 a.m. and the time he was contacted by law enforcement. A breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of .168, more than twice the legal limit.

Ames remains in custody without bond. He is currently on probation after receiving a suspended sentence in January on two counts of second-degree domestic assault, both class D felonies.

Ames is no stranger to law enforcement. Court records show a lengthy pattern of prior convictions dating back more than a decade. In 2023 in Pettis County, he pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and recently completed two years of probation. That same year, he was placed on five years of supervised probation for driving while revoked. In August 2022, he was fined $50 for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license. An order of protection was issued against him in 2021 for one year for alleged adult stalking. Earlier convictions include guilty pleas in July 2018 and July 2017 to driving while revoked as a second or third offense, resulting in 10 days and four days in jail, respectively, along with a $75 fine for failing to stop at a stop sign. In January 2017, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession, transport, manufacture, repair or sale of an illegal weapon, a class A misdemeanor, and was placed on probation. In 2016, he served 30 days in jail for peace disturbance and careless and imprudent driving. A 2015 conviction for second-degree property damage carried two years of probation that was later revoked, after which he served 30 days in jail. In March 2014, he pleaded guilty to unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and received two years of probation.