NYPD Detective Who Terrorized Westchester Teens In Road Rage-Fueled Tantrum Convicted On 12 Charges

SOMERS, NY — A New York City Police Department detective is guilty of charges related to terrorizing three Hudson Valley teenagers in a road rage-fueled incident.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that NYPD Detective John O'Connell has been convicted of 12 charges in connection to a 2025 road rage incident where he pointed a loaded gun at a group of teenagers and threatened to kill them.

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

O'Connell, 37, of Patterson, was convicted by Somers Town Justice Michael J. McDermott in a non-jury trial Tuesday of three counts each of misdemeanor second-degree menacing; misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child; misdemeanor third-degree menacing; and the violation of second-degree harassment.

"The defendant's lethal threats against three of our community's children have left scars that will stay with them for years," Cacace said. "No criminal conviction can erase the enduring trauma of a loaded firearm that is pointed in your direction. However, I do hope this verdict provides the victims and their parents with a sense of closure. There is simply no excuse for escalating a traffic dispute into criminal harassment, especially when the perpetrator is responsible for utilizing de-escalation techniques within his law enforcement service."

On Aug. 28, 2025, 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.

O'Connell 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 "I'm going to fucking kill you," and pointed a loaded Glock 19 pistol at each of the teens.

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.

The case was investigated by the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant DAs Edward Barrett and Marina Fedak of the Northern Westchester Branch.