Pittsboro, NC – A reported road rage incident Thursday evening led to the arrest of a Wilmington man after a driver told deputies another motorist fired a weapon during an encounter on U.S. 64.
At approximately 6 p.m. on April 23, 2026, deputies with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that a motorist in another vehicle had shot at the victim while traveling westbound on the U.S. 64 bypass near Exit 385 in Pittsboro.
The Siler City Police Department located and stopped the suspect vehicle. The individual involved was
taken into custody without incident by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the
Chatham County Detention Center.
Deputies recovered a handgun from the suspect’s vehicle.
James Hunter Routh, 22, of 5214 Ringo Drive, Apr. 22, Wilmington, NC, was arrested and charged with
one count of misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun, one count of misdemeanor carrying a concealed
weapon, and one count of misdemeanor open container of alcohol violation.
Routh was issued an unsecured bond and is scheduled to appear in court at the Chatham County Justice
Center in Pittsboro on May 27, 2026.