Austin Man Charged with Aggravated Assault in Road Rage Shooting

A 25-year-old man, Michael Rivera, is facing [aggravated assault charges](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/county-attorney/downloads/ newsroom/pressreleases/Rivera%20Michael_Redacted_CCA.pdf) after being accused of shooting a woman, Kamiah Mathews, five times during a road rage incident in Travis County, Texas.

"The driver called me a 'dumbass' and told me to get off the road."
Kamiah Mathews, describing the incident to police

Last Wednesday, Mathews and her girlfriend, Dierra Liggins, were en route to a tire shop when they encountered Rivera in a silver sedan. Mathews, driving slowly due to a flat tire, recounted that Rivera insulted her and then slowed his car to match her speed. As she continued toward an intersection, Mathews saw Rivera's car waiting at the light. She then saw a flashlight and heard multiple gunshots, one of which left her right arm limp.

Liggins, in a separate interview, corroborated Mathews' statement and added that she saw Rivera fire a black pistol with a light attachment at their vehicle around eight times. While Mathews had a handgun under her seat, she asserted that she never pointed it at Rivera. She suffered five gunshot wounds, including one to her left bicep, two to her right forearm, one to her left thigh, and a graze on her right shin.

"We also found cartridge casings throughout the vehicle, consistent with the firearm being fired from Rivera's right hand."
Police statement, describing the evidence found in Rivera's car

Liggins called 911 immediately after the shooting, and surprisingly, so did Rivera, claiming self-defense. Police located the handgun used and cartridge casings in Rivera's car, indicating he fired from the right-hand side towards the front right passenger area. Conversely, no damage was found on Rivera's car, supporting the victims' statements that they did not shoot back.

The incident occurred at the intersection of FM 973 and Burleson Road near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Rivera was arrested at his Del Valle residence on Thursday and has since bonded out of Travis County Jail. His first court hearing is scheduled for May 16.

Sources/URLs:

• Arrest Affidavit: https://comptroller.traviscountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8293/Redacted-Affidavit-for- Michael-Rivera-DOB-07021997---Aggravated-Assault-With-a-Deadly-Weapon--- 04272023-pdf
• Bond Document: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/county-attorney/downloads/newsroom/pressreleases/ Rivera%20Michael_Redacted_CCA.pdf