Off-duty NYPD detective brandishes gun at teenagers during road rage incident in Westchester County.

An off-duty New York City Police Department (NYPD) detective is facing serious legal repercussions following a road rage incident that reportedly involved the brandishing of a firearm against three teenagers in Westchester County. According to prosecutors, 36-year-old John O’Connell was driving on Route 6 in the Town of Somers when the alleged encounter occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The incident began when O’Connell’s vehicle encountered sudden traffic changes caused by three 16-year-olds who had also been traveling along the route. The teenagers, departing from the Jefferson Valley Mall and en route to a local McDonald’s, experienced an abrupt halt due to a work van swerving in front of their car, prompting their vehicle’s auto-brake feature to activate. O’Connell, unable to stop in time, reportedly slammed on his brakes to avoid a collision.

In response to this situation, O’Connell is accused of reacting with aggression. Allegedly pulling his vehicle alongside the teenagers, he is reported to have shouted a threatening declaration about possessing a firearm, specifically aiming his Glock 19 handgun at the driver. The subsequent actions of O’Connell intensified the situation as he purportedly continued to drive aggressively toward the teenagers, who, in a state of panic, sought refuge and called the police.

Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace condemned O’Connell’s behavior, stating that it is intolerable for an individual to escalate a traffic disagreement into a life-threatening situation. Cacace noted the composure demonstrated by the teenage victims as they managed to navigate a hazardous circumstance to safety, praising their courage in the face of danger.

The drama unfolded until the arrival of law enforcement, as the Carmel Police Department apprehended O’Connell shortly after the teenagers contacted emergency services. O’Connell, a resident of Patterson in Putnam County and a member of the NYPD’s warrant squad, was subsequently suspended without pay.

He faced arraignment on several charges, including menacing, child endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon—each categorized as misdemeanors. Due to the nature of the allegations, none of these charges are eligible for bail, leading to O’Connell’s release until his next court appearance scheduled for Monday.

As this case proceeds through the judicial system, it highlights important discussions around road rage incidents and the appropriate conduct expected from law enforcement personnel off duty. The community and legal observers will be watching closely as the situation evolves.