An off-duty NYPD detective is facing criminal charges after he allegedly brandished a firearm at a group of teenagers in Westchester County during a road rage incident. The confrontation, which occurred last week on Route 6 in Somers, involved John O’Connell, a detective with the New York Police Department, and three 16-year-olds. According to Gothamist, the incident took place as O’Connell was forced to brake suddenly behind a car carrying the teens, who had stopped abruptly due to a shift in traffic patterns.
Following the abrupt stop, O’Connell reportedly pulled up alongside the teenagers’ car, rolled down his window, and pointed a loaded Glock 19 pistol at the driver. Court documents further allege he continued to aggressively pursue the teens until they managed to safely distance themselves and contact authorities. Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace condemned the actions of the detective in a statement obtained by Gothamist, proclaiming, “The teenage victims in this case demonstrated a laudable measure of composure in navigating a dangerous situation to safety, and I commend them for their courage.”
Charged with menacing and endangering minors, O’Connell has entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations and has had his role with the NYPD temporarily suspended. As reported by Long Island News 12, O'Connell resides in Patterson and is expected to return to court next week, wherein he will face the charges derived from the alarming encounter.
For the time being, all three teenagers involved in the road rage have been granted temporary orders of protection. O’Connell's attorney has yet to release a public statement regarding the charges.
