An alleged road-rage encounter involving a Walt Disney World bus has resulted in an arrest after deputies say a man pulled out a handgun and pointed it directly at the Disney driver.
The confrontation reportedly unfolded Monday night on East Buena Vista Drive near Bonnet Creek Parkway. According to ClickOrlando, the Orange County Sheriff's Office received a call about the incident around 9 p.m.
Investigators eventually tracked the vehicle involved to Disney's Port Orleans Resort, where the man later told authorities he was making a food delivery.
But investigators say video from the Disney bus told a troubling story about what happened before he arrived.
Disney Bus Driver Reportedly Honks at Jeep
The encounter apparently began with an everyday traffic situation.
A witness told investigators that a white Jeep was stopped at a green light while a Disney bus waited behind it.
When the Jeep didn't move, the bus driver reportedly honked and moved the bus closer.
Most drivers have experienced something similar. A light changes, the vehicle in front doesn't immediately move, and someone taps the horn.
Usually, that's the end of the story.
Deputies say this situation went much further.
According to the witness account, the Jeep driver got out of his vehicle and approached the Disney bus. He then allegedly returned to the Jeep and reached into its center console.
Investigators say the driver retrieved a black semi-automatic pistol and pointed it directly at the Disney bus driver.
The Jeep subsequently left the area.
White Jeep Reportedly Heads to Port Orleans
Authorities didn't have to search Disney World blindly for the vehicle.
The 911 caller reportedly told deputies that the Jeep had gone to Disney's Port Orleans Resort after the confrontation.
Deputies responded to the resort and found a white Jeep near the lobby, although it appeared empty when they initially arrived.
A man later identified as 25-year-old David Charlot approached one of the deputies.
According to ClickOrlando, Charlot said he was delivering food for DoorDash using the Jeep.
He reportedly admitted that there was a handgun inside his vehicle but denied pointing the weapon at anyone. He also denied interacting with anyone.
Investigators soon reviewed evidence that reportedly contradicted that account.
Camera on Disney Bus Reportedly Recorded Incident
Disney buses are equipped with cameras, and footage from the bus reportedly became a key part of the investigation.
According to ClickOrlando, deputies reviewed the video and said it showed Charlot pointing a black handgun at the Disney bus driver.
Authorities arrested Charlot, who now faces a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm. ClickOrlando reported that he was being held on a $10,000 bond.
As with any criminal case, the charge represents an allegation and does not establish guilt.
The situation nevertheless stands out because of how quickly an ordinary moment on the road allegedly turned into something far more dangerous.
Walt Disney World has a massive transportation operation, with buses traveling throughout the resort every day. Guests regularly depend on them to move between hotels, theme parks and other destinations without needing their own vehicles.
Those buses, however, still travel on roads alongside other drivers.
According to investigators, this particular encounter began because a vehicle wasn't moving at a green light and a Disney bus driver honked the horn.
Within moments, deputies allege that a handgun had been pulled out and pointed at the bus driver.
The reports do not say whether Disney guests were aboard the bus at the time, and they don't report any physical injuries resulting from the confrontation.
Ultimately, investigators say the bus's camera provided video of the alleged encounter. Deputies then arrested Charlot after finding the Jeep at Disney's Port Orleans Resort.
For something that allegedly started with a honking horn, the situation ended about as seriously as it could — with an arrest and a felony firearm charge.
