On October 29, 2023 at 3:54 PM an off-duty FHP Trooper was driving on SR-570 (Polk Parkway) near Milepost 18 with family members in his personal vehicle, while off-duty and in civilian attire. Caught in slow-moving traffic, a driver in a red Chevy pickup became agitated and began focusing his attention on the Trooper. As traffic cleared, the suspect drove alongside the Trooper’s vehicle, speeding up and slowing down, yelling and using hand gestures. The Trooper ignored the suspect; however, the suspect slowed again and displayed a compact style firearm, eventually pointing the weapon at the Trooper.
The Trooper contacted the Florida Highway Patrol by calling *FHP and reported the incident. Several FHP Troopers responded to the area, but did not locate the driver. The Troopers then responded to the vehicle owner’s Auburndale residence and located the driver as he returned home. The driver, identified as Matthew Timothy Reiter, 32, was subsequently arrested by the Troopers who located five different firearms. The suspect was placed under arrest, charged with three counts each of unlawful display of a weapon and aggravated assault with a weapon.
