NEW YORK- An on-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer fired his weapon during a freeway dispute near New York’s primary international airport.
The incident triggered an active investigation and temporary traffic delays during the morning commute.
Custom Officer Fires Gun Near JFK
An on-duty Customs and Border Protection officer fired his weapon several times during a traffic confrontation on a freeway leading to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The incident followed a minor 2 vehicle crash and occurred during early morning commuting hours.
Port Authority police said the crash happened shortly before 5 AM, Tuesday, in the southbound lanes of the Van Wyck Expressway near New York JFK Airport.
The officer reported that the other driver attacked him after the collision, prompting him to discharge his firearm. After the shots were fired, the other driver fled the scene.
Authorities said it was not clear whether any of the shots struck the other driver. The officer was not injured.
The Port Authority has not said whether the officer was driving an official vehicle, and the officer’s name has not been released.
According to Independent, the episode remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made.
Police Response and Traffic Impact
The investigation caused traffic delays along the expressway during the morning commute. Officials said congestion eased as the morning progressed and road conditions gradually returned to normal.
Port Authority police continue to review evidence related to both the crash and the shooting. No additional details have been released regarding the suspect who fled the scene.
The freeway incident followed a weekend of severe travel disruptions at JFK Airport caused by winter weather and icy conditions. A ground stop was put in place, halting all takeoffs and landings at the airport.
More than 1,000 flights were delayed on Sunday across multiple airlines, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
JFK Airport recorded nearly five inches of snowfall, while the National Weather Service reported that 4.6 inches had fallen in the area by 1 PM.
Airline Operations and Ongoing Delays
As congestion increased, Delta Air Lines (DL) temporarily stopped flights bound for JFK from taking off. The airline said winter weather conditions impacting taxiways at JFK contributed to delays Sunday evening.
Delta stated that safety remained its top priority and said it appreciated customers’ patience while apologizing for the disruption to travel plans.
Sunday’s snowfall brought between 1 and 4 inches of snow to parts of New York City, marking the city’s first major snowfall of the season.
The aftermath of the ground stop led to additional flight cancellations at JFK and for Delta Air Lines on Monday.
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