Suspect Accused Of Displaying Gun In Fairfield Road Rage Incident: CSP

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 26-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested on charges of second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace Tuesday, after Connecticut State Police said the suspect brandished a firearm during a road rage incident in Fairfield.

The incident occurred at about 10:15 a.m. when state police were notified of a motor vehicle altercation on I-95 southbound near exit 19, in which one of the drivers displayed a handgun.

"Troopers met with the reporting party, who explained that they were in traffic traveling in the center lane when a grey Ford pickup attempted to cut in from the right lane without ample space to safely change lanes," state police wrote in a news release. "The reporting party explained that this forced them to veer left to avoid a collision, and the pickup operator corrected back to the right lane. Shortly after this, the reporting party explained they had passed this pickup as traffic in the right lane was moving slower."

After passing the pickup, the driver then saw the same truck in their rearview mirror making its way over to the left lane. At that point, the operator of the pickup, later identified as Joseph Rankin, pulled alongside their vehicle in the left lane with the passenger side window down.

"The reporting party explained that they could not hear what the pickup operator was saying and then continued on ahead," state police said. "Shortly thereafter, the reporting party explained this truck was once again parallel to their driver side window, and the operator of the pickup was holding a pistol in their right hand. The reporting party explained that the operator smiled at them and then continued on, which prompted the call to 911."

State police said the victim had video of the incident, and "troopers determined that the suspect did in fact brandish a firearm as reported."

State police had a description of the pickup truck and the license plate, and troopers pulled it over a short while later near exit 16 by the Norwalk/Westport border.

Rankin was taken into custody, and a loaded 9mm pistol was in his possession.

"Rankin explained to Troopers that the other operator may have seen his firearm, but that he did not point it at them," state police said. "The firearm and ammunition were seized as evidence in this investigation."

After posting a $15,000 bond, Rankin was released, and he is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Feb. 25.