CT man arrested for displaying a weapon in aggression driving incident

A man was arrested Thursday on charges of threatening and disturbing the peace for pulling out a gun during a road rage incident on Interstate 84.

According to the Connecticut State Police, officers responded to I-84 West in the area of ​​Exit 43 in West Hartford shortly after 7:20 a.m. Thursday morning because a driver had displayed a weapon.

Troopers met the plaintiff off the highway and said they were driving in the left lane of I-84 when they allegedly saw a Nissan Altima weaving between lanes. The Nissan driver then “precariously” pulled in front of the victim, state police said.

The plaintiff said they honked their horn, causing the Nissan driver to slam on his brakes, according to state police. The plaintiff said he made a hand gesture toward the driver, and the driver allegedly pointed a firearm at the plaintiff through the driver's side window, according to state police.

The plaintiff stated that he tried to get some distance from the Nissan, but the driver moved into the middle lane and allegedly gestured to the plaintiff that he wanted to drive next to him, according to state police.

The complainant said they kept more distance from the Nissan and called authorities. State police said the complainant was able to provide a description of the vehicle, including license plate information, as well as a description of the driver and the firearm used.

State police were able to determine that the Nissan was a rental car and that the renter was 32-year-old Kewon Rondell Banks of Manchester. Police rushed to his home but did not find him there. They spoke with a local resident who contacted Banks so police could speak with him.

Banks, according to state police, told officers he was at work but agreed to a meeting to discuss the allegations.

According to state police, during a meeting with troopers, Banks admitted to displaying his weapon during an incident of driving aggression, but said he only did so because he thought the other driver was reaching for something. He told troopers the weapon was still in the vehicle.

State police seized the weapon and arrested Banks on charges of first-degree menacing related to the display of a firearm and second-degree disturbing the public peace related to violent or threatening conduct.

Banks was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court on October 9.

Originally published: September 20, 2024 at 16:01