VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Police have arrested a 45-year-old man after a woman reported that another driver pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at her during a road rage confrontation in South Vancouver. Police later recovered a BB gun, an imitation firearm that investigators say helps explain why the victim believed she was facing a real handgun.
What police say happened
The incident was reported at about 12:00 p.m. on October 20, 2026, near Fraser Street and East 45th Avenue. According to Vancouver Police, the woman had slowed for a speed bump when a male driver behind her began tailgating her vehicle.
Police say the man passed her on the left, stopped in front of her vehicle and approached her window. She alleged that he produced what appeared to be a black handgun and pointed it at her before driving away. No shots were reported in the police account of the confrontation.
Emergency Response Team makes the arrest
Officers used surveillance support to locate the suspect vehicle parked near Knight Street and East 57th Avenue. Police say a man matching the suspect description was walking away from it when officers saw him discard an object in the west lane of Knight Street, near East 57th Avenue.
The man returned to the parked vehicle and drove away. Members of the Vancouver Police Emergency Response Team disabled the vehicle about a block away and took him into custody without incident, police say.
Officers later recovered a BB gun in the laneway where they had seen the man discarding something. The distinction matters: police say the object recovered was not a real handgun, but the woman who reported the encounter believed the object pointed at her was one.
“This was a frightening ordeal for a driver simply going about her day,” said Constable Darren Wong. “Thanks to the quick response and action of our officers, we were able to safely take the suspect into custody and recover the weapon.”
Police have not said whether the two drivers knew each other. The release also does not describe any injury to the woman or damage to either vehicle. Its central allegation is the threat made at the driver’s window, followed by the recovery of the BB gun after the arrest.
Four charges laid
Rahat Arshad Ali, 45, has been charged with:
- Assault with a weapon
- Uttering threats
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence
Police say Ali remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
The charges are allegations that have not been tested in court. Ali has been charged, not convicted, and the police account above reflects what investigators say the evidence shows at this stage of the case.
If a road rage confrontation turns threatening
Drivers who feel threatened should not engage with the other person, argue through a window or follow the vehicle involved. General police safety guidance is to stay in the vehicle with the doors locked, leave the area when it is safe to do so, drive to a police station or another safe public place, and call 911. If it can be done safely and without using a phone while driving, note the licence plate, vehicle description, direction of travel and exact location for police.
Sources: Vancouver Police Department news release, “Vancouver Police arrest man, locate BB gun after alleged road rage incident,” October 21, 2026.
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