NYPD Detective Accused Of Pointing Loaded Gun At Teens In Westchester Road Rage Incident: DA

SOMERS, NY — Road rage on a Westchester highway has led to charges against a New York City Police Department detective.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace says that the NYPD Warrant Squad detective was arrested and charged with offenses connected to accusations of menacing three 16-year-olds with a loaded gun in a road rage incident last week.

"It is unacceptable for anyone to turn a traffic grievance into a lethal threat," Cacace said. "My office will now hold this defendant accountable for his outrageous behavior, as we have outlined to the court. 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."

According to court documents, on Thursday, around 8:30 p.m., three 16-year-olds, from Westchester County and Putnam County, were driving east on Route 6, in the Town of Somers, when they came to a sudden stop due to changing traffic patterns.

John O'Connell, 36, of Patterson, had been driving a 2024 Honda behind the teens when he was also forced to brake suddenly. He then pulled up alongside their vehicle and rolled down his passenger-side window. O'Connell then yelled, "I have a gun," and pointed a loaded Glock 19 pistol at the driver, according to court documents.

He then "continued to drive in an aggressive manner toward the teens" before they were able to drive away from him and call the police, acccording to their depositions.

O'Connell was charged with one misdemeanor count of second-degree menacing, three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

He was arraigned on Friday in Somers Town Court, where he pleaded not guilty. O'Connell was released on his own recognizance, and is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8.

The judge provided temporary orders of protection on behalf of the victims.

O'Connell was off duty at the time of the incident, and has been temporarily suspended from the NYPD.

The case is being investigated by the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant DA Brittany Rios of the Northern Westchester Branch and Branch Chief Stephen Ronco.