Dixon Wayne Hutchins

     A Salesville man, 28 year old DIXON WAYNE HUTCHINS, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, June 14th, on felony charges after an investigation into a road rage incident.

     At approximately 3:37 PM yesterday, the Baxter County 9-1-1 Call Center received a report of a road rage incident happening on Water Tower Road in the City of Salesville.  It was reported that two vehicles were involved, and that the driver of one of the vehicles flashed a firearm.  Additional information received shortly thereafter reported that shots had been fired at one of the vehicles.  Several deputies responded to the scene.

     Deputies arrived and contacted the parties involved.  The victim reported that he was driving to his residence when a White Toyota Camry came up behind him, driving very close behind him and acting in an aggressive manner.  The victim turned on to Water Tower Road, and the driver of the other vehicle, later identified as DIXON WAYNE HUTCHINS, turned behind the victim, passed him, and then pulled over and stopped in front of the victim, blocking the roadway.  HUTCHINS exited his vehicle and approached the victim, yelling at him to step out.  The victim refused to get out, and then HUTCHINS began shooting at the victim with a handgun.  The victim ducked down, put his vehicle in reverse, and tried to back away.  The victim said he heard roughly 5 shots come from HUTCHINS.

     Deputies observed that the victim's vehicle had multiple bullet holes in the hood, a ricochet on the windshield, and one in the headlight.  Deputies found two bullets and six shell casings in the roadway.  No injuries were reported.

     During the investigation, another person living in the area came up to the scene and reported that his house had been shot as well.  Deputies found a bullet hole in the front of the house.  This bullet traveled through multiple walls and finally struck a wall just above a chair in the residence.

     The firearm used, a .45 cal handgun, was found, seized, and taken into evidence.

     HUTCHINS claimed self-defense in the incident.  A passenger in the HUTCHINS vehicle witnessed the entire incident, but she would not cooperate and refused to provide any information.

     DIXON WAYNE HUTCHINS was transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.  After consultation with the Prosecuting Attorney, HUTCHINS will be charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, both felony offenses.  HUTCHINS remains incarcerated in lieu of $250,000 bond.  He will appear before the Baxter County Circuit Court to answer on June 27th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff