Charlotte driver late for work shot man in road 3 times, DA says. He’s convicted

A road rage shooting linked to being late for work has resulted in a Charlotte man being sentenced to years in prison, according to Mecklenburg County prosecutors.

Jacob Zazeski, 26, stood accused of firing nine shots at an unarmed man in the road, hitting him three times, the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office reports.

On Dec. 5, a jury found Zazeski guilty of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and injury to personal property, District Attorney Spencer B. Merriweather III said in a Dec. 16 news release.

Zazeski was sentenced to between 67 and 93 months in prison (5 to 7 years), Merriweather said. Court records indicate Zazeski is appealing.

“On October 24, 2023, Jacob Zazeski was late for work and driving recklessly on N. Sharon Amity Rd. The victim saw this reckless driving in his rearview mirror and gestured in exasperation ... when Zazeski passed him,” the District Attorney’s Office said in the release.

“Zazeski got in front of the victim’s car and came to an immediate stop in front of the victim. ... The victim got out of his vehicle, and approached the defendant’s car with his hands up, showing Zazeski that he was unarmed. Zazeski, who had a 9 mm semiautomatic firearm in his vehicle, fired nine shots in the direction of the victim’s car.”

The victim was hit in the right hand, right leg and on the left side of his back, officials said. Another bullet was found lodged in his car door, a report states.

“The victim had to undergo months of physical therapy to rehabilitate his right hand,” prosecutors said.

Zazeski must also pay $14,210 in restitution and court fees, records show.

This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM with the headline "Charlotte driver late for work shot man in road 3 times, DA says. He’s convicted."