The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has released a shocking video of a road rage incident involving a knife and a gun.

A video clip shows a Palm Coast man seen slashing a knife at a motorcyclist in a fit of road rage that nearly ended with the swipe of a blade before things took an unexpected turn.

50-year-old Rafael Vincent Rivera faces an aggravated assault charge following the confrontation just after 1 p.m. at the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Whirlaway Drive on Wednesday.

According to the Deputies, the video shows Rivera swiping at the man with a knife. That’s when the other man pulls out a gun and aims it at him in self-defense. Deputies say that man also put on brass knuckles.

The two argue for about a minute, and then things escalate.

Deputies added that the altercation unfolded at the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Whirlaway Drive. Cellphone video shot by the victim’s wife shows the confrontation between Rivera and the man he’s accused of assaulting.

Western Journal added more details on this intense confrontation:

Footage shows the two motorists squaring off as Rivera taunts the motorcyclist, telling him to “get on your bike and go!” Suddenly, things radically escalate as Rivera leans in and swipes his knife seemingly right at the neck of the victim.

Within seconds, the biker opened his vest and drew a concealed firearm on Rivera.

That put a definite end to the knife swipes.

Rivera refused to drop his blade, instead phoning police while retreating to his truck.

The biker, alongside Rivera, was initially detained by police.

After interviewing witnesses and reviewing the footage, however, authorities released the motorcyclist and formally placed Rivera under arrest on a count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill.

The video is filled with as much profanity as you’d expect from a tense armed standoff. [Graphic language warning.]

Watch it here: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office/Youtube

Rivera was released on Wednesday, May 18, after he paid a $5,000 bond. “Traffic disagreements should never result in violence in our streets,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said.

Staly also praises the biker for displaying composure and restraint:

“In this particular incident, the video captured by the victim’s wife clearly shows that her husband’s life was threatened. I applaud the way the motorcyclist handled this situation. After his life was clearly threatened, he lawfully defended himself and then de-escalated the situation. The offender is lucky he was not shot.”

“I also remind the community to not take traffic enforcement in your own hands and control your anger. Call the Sheriff’s Office instead.”

Thankfully for everyone involved, this incident ended without bloodshed. Not all road rage confrontations end this way, with some resulting in absolute tragedy for innocent families.

Sources: Westernjournal, ClickOrlando