Background: News footage of Joseph Lemalie during his court appearance in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 28 (KTUU). Inset: McKial McCarty (GoFundMe).
A recent road rage incident in Alaska almost ended in tragedy for a young man returning home from work.
Nineteen-year-old McKial McCarty had just finished his shift at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on the night of May 13, when a light-colored Chevy Equinox, allegedly driven by Joseph Lemalie, 24, abruptly cut him off at an intersection. Both vehicles were making a left turn when the near collision occurred. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, Lemalie allegedly pulled alongside McCarty, rolled down his window, and opened fire, discharging five bullets.
McCarty’s mother detailed in a GoFundMe campaign that her son was struck by all five shots. The bullets punctured his lungs, broke one of his arms, and damaged his hip. She also mentioned that McCarty’s vehicle was completely destroyed in the ordeal.
While recovering in the hospital, McCarty managed to identify Lemalie from a police lineup with absolute certainty. According to the complaint, he expressed to officers that he was “1,000% sure” of Lemalie’s identity.
After being discharged from the hospital, McCarty opened up to KTUU, a local NBC affiliate, describing the terrifying encounter. He recounted being in the far-left lane when Lemalie cut him off, prompting him to honk in response. Lemalie then slowed down, aligning his vehicle next to McCarty’s.
It was at this moment, McCarty explained to KTUU, that Lemalie rolled down his window and fired all five shots, a chilling act McCarty referred to as a “mag dump.” Recalling his immediate reaction to the attack, McCarty told police he felt as though he was dying, with his lungs quickly filling with blood. He shared with KTUU that he stopped his car in hopes that someone nearby would call the police and notify his family.
McCarty shares a daughter with his girlfriend, who also started a GoFundMe page.
Lemalie’s vehicle was identified using traffic cameras, and investigators found it at a home where his family members lived. Police seized the Equinox and said they found a spent 9 mm shell casing; they found more 9 mm shell casings at the scene of the alleged shooting.
Lemalie was arrested and charged with four counts of assault, misconduct involving weapons, and reckless endangerment. During his court appearance on Thursday, his bond was set at $50,000. He is currently in custody at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 4.
