HARRISON, NY — Harrison Police arrested a Port Chester man and seized an illegal handgun after he allegedly fired a gunshot in the air during a road rage incident on the Purchase Street in Purchase, NY, on Wednesday afternoon.
Officers recovered a loaded, illegal 9 mm handgun with a high-capacity magazine.
Jarrell Fortson, 35, of Port Chester, NY was arrested by Harrison Police outside his home and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon — 2nd and 3rd Degrees and Reckless Endangerment —1st Degree, all felonies, and Menacing — 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor.
Fortson was arraigned before Judge Pasquale G. Gizzo on Thursday. Bail was set at $50,000 cash and $75,000 bond.
Police say the incident began about 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, when a husband and wife reported that a vehicle blocked their vehicle as they attempted to make a lane change while driving east on Westchester Avenue near the Hutchinson River Parkway.
The victims said a blue BMW pulled alongside them and the driver cursed and yelled racist derogatory remarks towards them.
At Purchase Street, the BMW pulled alongside their car again and the driver pointed a loaded handgun at them before the victims drove off.
Harrison police immediately began to canvass the area to locate the BMW. It was determined the suspect was a resident of King Street in Port Chester. Harrison plain clothes police officers arrived at the residence just as the driver was getting out of the car in his driveway. The officers recovered the firearm on his person and took him into custody.
Chief John Vasta said the encounter was frightening for the victims and put the public at risk. The Chief commends his officers for their swift work in identifying a suspect, locating him quickly and recovering the weapon.
The case is still ongoing and under investigation.