Off-duty NYPD detective pulls loaded gun on 3 teenagers in unhinged highway rage incident

An off-duty NYPD Warrant Squad detective was arrested for allegedly pointing a loaded pistol at three 16-year-old boys – snarling “I’ve a gun!” – in a highway rage-fueled risk final week, prosecutors stated. 

Det. John O’Connell, 36, was driving east on Route 6 within the city of Somers round 8:30 p.m. Thursday when the teenagers’ automotive stopped quick due to a change in visitors patterns — inflicting the offended cop behind them to slam on his brakes, in accordance with the Westchester County District Lawyer’s Workplace. 

O’Connell then drove up alongside the teenagers, rolled down his passenger window, and pointed a loaded Glock 19 pistol on the teen driver whereas yelling, “I’ve a gun!” court docket information declare.

The detective stored driving his 2024 Honda “in an aggressive method” towards the boys, earlier than they have been finally in a position to break off and name 911, in accordance with prosecutors. 

O’Connell, of Patterson, New York, was arrested and charged with second-degree menacing, legal possession of a weapon and three counts of endangering the welfare of a kid, the DA’s workplace stated.

He pleaded not responsible and was launched on his personal recognizance throughout his Friday arraignment in Somers City Court docket, as not one of the costs are bail-eligible. He was scheduled to return to court docket Monday. 

Justice Michael McDermott granted the teenager victims – all Westchester and Putnam residents – orders of safety in opposition to O’Connell. 

In the meantime, O’Connell was suspended with out pay from the NYPD, a division spokesperson stated. 

“It’s unacceptable for anybody to show a visitors grievance right into a deadly risk,” Westchester County District Lawyer Susan Cacace stated in a press release. “My workplace will now maintain this defendant accountable for his outrageous habits, as now we have outlined to the court docket.”

“The teenage victims on this case demonstrated a laudable measure of composure in navigating a harmful scenario to security, and I commend them for his or her braveness.”