Off-duty NYPD detective pulls loaded gun on 3 teens in unhinged road rage incident: DA

An off-duty NYPD Warrant Squad detective was arrested for allegedly pointing a loaded pistol at three 16-year-old boys – snarling “I have a gun!” – in a road rage-fueled threat last week, prosecutors said. 

Det. John O’Connell, 36, was driving east on Route 6 in the town of Somers around 8:30 p.m. Thursday when the teens’ car stopped short because of a change in traffic patterns — causing the angry cop behind them to slam on his brakes, according to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. 

O’Connell then drove up alongside the teens, rolled down his passenger window, and pointed a loaded Glock 19 pistol at the teen driver while yelling, “I have a gun!” court records claim.

The detective kept driving his 2024 Honda “in an aggressive manner” toward the boys, before they were ultimately able to break off and call 911, according to prosecutors. 

O’Connell, of Patterson, New York, was arrested and charged with second-degree menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, the DA’s office said.

He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance during his Friday arraignment in Somers Town Court, as none of the charges are bail-eligible. He was scheduled to return to court Monday. 

Justice Michael McDermott granted the teen victims – all Westchester and Putnam residents – orders of protection against O’Connell. 

Meanwhile, O’Connell was suspended without pay from the NYPD, a department spokesperson said. 

“It is unacceptable for anyone to turn a traffic grievance into a lethal threat,” Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said in a statement. “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.”