Woman Accused Of Pulling Gun On Construction Workers: Stamford PD

STAMFORD, CT — A Bridgeport woman was arrested last Thursday after Stamford police said she pulled a gun on a group of construction workers during an argument.

Josette Purnell, 34, was charged with first-degree threatening and given a $500 bond, which she was able to post, according to Capt. Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department.

Conklin said the incident occurred at 8:30 a.m. on March 24 at 1055 E. Main St. when a truck full of construction workers pulled into a parking spot at a business at the same time a woman, later identified as Purnell, came outside.

"She started arguing they parked too close to her car and she would have difficulty getting in. [The construction workers] felt that was not the case, and they didn't know why she was making any issue of it. They argued back and forth," Conklin said.

At some point, Purnell pulled a handgun from her belt, Conklin said, noting that the workers felt she displayed it in a threatening manner.

The workers called 911 and Purnell left. Conklin said responding officers tried pulling her over on East Main Street, but she entered I-95 where she was eventually stopped between exits 9 and 10.

Officers found Purnell in possession of a loaded .357 Ruger revolver, Conklin said, and she was placed under arrest. Purnell works as a security guard, Conklin noted.

Conklin said Purnell had a valid pistol permit, but the permit and the gun were seized. The case will be forwarded to the Connecticut State Police for possible revocation of the permit, according to Conklin.