Richmond man charged in road rage situation

Police on Thursday filed charges against a former Grayslake firefighter and Richmond Village Board candidate who was captured on video pointing a gun at another driver during an apparent road rage situation Tuesday.

The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office said Thursday morning that it was speaking with Richmond police regarding details of the incident, which was caught on video Tuesday.

A warrant has been issued in the amount of $5,000 for the arrest of 41-year-old Brian J. Schimian. He is charged in McHenry County court with disorderly conduct and reckless driving. Both charges are misdemeanor offenses that typically results in less than one year in jail.

Attempts to reach Schimian by phone Thursday were unsuccessful.

Schimian, of the 10500 block of Commercial Street, Richmond, is a former Grayslake firefighter who recently ran for a spot on the Richmond Village Board. He did not win a spot, receiving 28 votes. The winning candidates received 105, 103 and 87 votes.

Wisconsin man Bart Surroz posted a video of the situation to Facebook showing a man inside of a red Jeep pointing a handgun at Surroz through his car window before speeding off.

Surroz was driving on Route 12 about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday when the man in the red Jeep was driving recklessly behind him and honking his horn, Surroz said.

Confused, Surroz stopped his car near the intersection of Route 12 and Broadway Road. He exited his vehicle to see if anything was wrong with his car or the man driving the Jeep, he said.

“Get in your car,” the driver yelled at Surroz as he approached the Jeep while recording.

The man in the Jeep posted a dash-cam video from his perspective on Facebook, Surroz said. That video shows Surroz exiting his vehicle and pointing to himself. He then takes out his phone and walks toward the Jeep.

Schimian accused in a two-count criminal complaint with honking his horn and pointing a firearm in Surroz's face. He's additionally alleged to have driven at high speeds, run a stop sign and improperly used lanes.

Surroz has said Richmond police initially disregarded the incident and said he shouldn’t have exited the vehicle. They also told Surroz they recognized the man with the gun as a local firefighter, Surroz said.

The Richmond Village Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Village Hall, 5600 Hunter Drive.