MESA, AZ – Arizona woman Alyssa Soto, 24, was arrested and charged after she initiated a road rage incident in Mesa, according to court documents. On August 7, another driver reported to the Mesa police that Soto fired a shot at them during an altercation on the road.
According to the driver, the situation escalated when they were navigating a lane merge on McKellips Road just past Recker Road. While they were at a stop light at an intersection, Soto reportedly pulled up next to them in a black SUV and initiated a verbal argument, which included revealing that they both had their children in their respective vehicles.
Upon the turning green of the stop light, both drivers proceeded westwards, during which Soto is reported to have drawn a handgun and shot at the complainant. The driver then evaded Soto, relocated to a family relative’s house, and informed the police about the event. No injuries were reported as the bullet missed the driver’s car.
Crucial video evidence, captured by the inside and outside cameras of the victim’s car, was submitted to the police, which helped them to identify the suspect as Alyssa Soto. Soto’s vehicle was later traced back to her residence in Apache Junction and deemed to belong to her grandmother.
On August 15, the Mesa police executed a search warrant at Soto’s home and found a 9mm pistol with bullets in it matching the shell casing retrieved from the crime scene. Subsequently, Soto was arrested on August 16.
Court documents cite Soto’s confession of shooting at the other car due to accumulated anger and frustration stemming from the previous exchange. She insisted that she had no intention of causing harm and admitted that she did not contact law enforcement after claiming the other driver hit her car.
Soto has been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and firing at a structure.