Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 29th 2026.
BURNSVILLE , MN - A 29-year-old man has been charged with felony threats of violence following an alleged road rage incident on Interstate 35W in Burnsville, during which another driver reported having a handgun pointed toward his vehicle.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Jonathan Dale Dahl is accused of threatening another motorist during a traffic dispute on October 16, 2026, near Black Dog Road.
The complaint states that the incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. as the reporting driver was traveling southbound on I-35W through a construction area. The driver told investigators that an Audi SUV accelerated alongside his vehicle during a lane merge, forcing him to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
According to the complaint, the Audi driver subsequently began braking repeatedly in front of the reporting driver. After the reporting driver changed lanes to avoid further confrontation, the Audi allegedly began following closely behind his vehicle.
The reporting driver told investigators that he accelerated to approximately 65 to 70 mph in an attempt to create distance between the vehicles.
While looking in his rearview mirror, the driver reported seeing the Audi's driver extend his left hand out the window while holding what appeared to be a black handgun. The firearm was allegedly pointed toward the rear windshield of the reporting driver's vehicle.
The driver described the firearm as a full-size black pistol resembling a Glock, with what appeared to be an accessory mounting rail.
According to the complaint, the Audi eventually passed the reporting driver, and its driver allegedly made several obscene hand gestures. The reporting driver began recording video to capture the vehicle's license plate before the Audi exited toward County Road 42.
Investigators identified the Audi's registered owner as Dahl, who the complaint states has a valid permit to carry a firearm.
On October 27, investigators interviewed Dahl after advising him of his Miranda rights. According to the complaint, Dahl acknowledged a traffic dispute involving a Hummer following a merging incident on the highway.
Dahl initially told investigators that he rolled down his window and threw a can toward the other vehicle but missed. He also acknowledged extending his hand outside the window but denied holding a firearm.
The complaint states that Dahl later claimed he had been holding a flashlight, which he said he used to shine light toward the other vehicle.
Dahl also reportedly denied having his handgun inside the Audi on October 16, telling investigators that he had only placed the firearm in the vehicle on October 27.
During an inventory search of Dahl's vehicle, officers located a black Sig Sauer 9mm handgun equipped with a flashlight mount, according to the complaint. Investigators also recovered a loaded magazine inside the firearm and two additional loaded magazines in the center console.
Investigators subsequently spoke with Dahl's wife, who reportedly stated that Dahl regularly kept his firearm inside his vehicle because firearms were not permitted inside their home due to their children.
Dahl has been charged with one felony count of threats of violence under Minnesota Statute 609.713, subdivision 1.
If convicted, Dahl faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The allegations outlined in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court, and Dahl is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.