BEDFORD — A local traffic encounter escalated into a police investigation on May 22, 2026, when a Bedford man allegedly brandished a replica firearm at another motorist and pulled the trigger multiple times during a passing dispute.
Colton Cooper, 23, of Bedford, faces preliminary charges of Intimidation with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm following a formal review request submitted by the Bedford Police Department.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Department Officer Bailey Duprey, the investigation was launched after a male walked into the city’s police station to report a firearm threat. Officers noted that he appeared visibly shaken and frustrated during the interview.
The male told police that he was riding in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend when they approached the four-way stop near the Circle K convenience store at 14th and L Streets. At the same time, a vehicle driven by Cooper crossed paths with them in the intersection.
During the encounter, the male reported that Cooper produced a handgun and pointed it directly at him. He told investigators he watched Cooper pull the trigger twice, causing audible “clicking” noises. Fearing for his own safety and that of his family, he instructed his girlfriend to drive directly to the police station to report the incident immediately.
The male victim provided officers with cell phone text messages between himself and a female passenger in Cooper’s vehicle. In the message exchange, when the male victim texted her about the firearm being drawn, the female passenger replied, “I told him not to do it.”
Officer Duprey subsequently contacted the female passenger by phone. She acknowledged that Cooper and the male victim shared a prior “beef” or ongoing personal feud. She confirmed that the confrontation occurred as the two vehicles crossed paths at 14th and Lincoln Streets, but claimed Cooper only possessed a BB gun, rather than a real firearm, and alleged he did not point it directly at the male victim.
Bedford police officers then interviewed Cooper at the station. Cooper’s wife was also present in the vehicle during the initial roadside confrontation.
Cooper initially denied that any BB gun was in the main cabin of his car, claiming it was locked away in the trunk for his son. However, as the interview progressed, Cooper ultimately admitted to brandishing the weapon. He told investigators that he pulled the gun up into view as their paths crossed in an attempt to keep the male victim away from them.
While Cooper admitted to displaying the weapon so it could be clearly seen, he denied pointing it directly at the male. Cooper described the item as a tan Glock 19X CO2 pistol.
The realistic replica BB handgun was surrendered to police custody and has been booked into the Bedford Police Department’s property room as evidence. Officer Duprey has submitted the finalized affidavit to prosecutors for a formal review of the criminal charges. Cooper was detained on June 9th.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
