An on-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer fired his duty weapon multiple times early Tuesday morning during a road rage incident on the Van Wyck Expressway near the John F. Kennedy International Airport entrance in Queens, New York. The officer told Port Authority Police that the confrontation began after a minor two-vehicle crash, and he fired in what he described as self-defense following an assault by the other driver. No injuries were reported and the other driver fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
The incident occurred around 4:45–4:50 a.m. and prompted Port Authority Police to investigate the situation, which temporarily closed several lanes on the southbound expressway, creating significant traffic delays for commuters and travelers heading to the airport. Traffic conditions reportedly eased later in the morning as one lane reopened around 7:00 a.m. while authorities continued their investigation.
Police have not yet located or arrested the other driver involved in the incident. The officer’s identity has not been released, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not provided an official statement. The use of force is under review by the Port Authority Police Department as part of an ongoing investigation into how the situation escalated from a minor crash to a firearm discharge.
Authorities continue to seek information about the other vehicle involved and are urging anyone with details to come forward. The episode highlights how routine traffic disputes can escalate into serious confrontations, especially on major roadways near one of the nation’s busiest airports. The incident remains under active investigation by Port Authority police and federal authorities.
