SOMERS – An off-duty New York City Police detective from Patterson is himself in trouble with the law for allegedly pointing a loaded gun at three teenagers during a road rage incident in Somers.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace identified the suspect Tuesday as 36-year-old John O’Connell, who joined the NYPD in 2013 and was promoted to warrant squad detective in 2021.
O’Connell has been charged with menacing, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident that reportedly occurred on Route 6 near the county line when three 16-year-olds from Westchester and Putnam were driving east on Route 6 when they stopped suddenly because of changing traffic patterns.
The D.A.’s office said O’Connell, who was driving behind them, was forced to brake suddenly before pulling up alongside the teens and yelling, “I have a gun” while pointing a loaded Glock 19 pistol at the driver.
Prosecutors further alleged that O’Connell drove aggressively toward the teenagers who managed to escape and call police.
O’Connell was arraigned in Somers Town Court where he pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance pending future court action.
Cacace called it “unacceptable for anyone to turn a traffic grievance into a lethal threat. 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.”
O’Connell has been temporarily suspended from the NYPD due to the allegations.