A US Customs and Border Protection officer fired his weapon multiple times on a freeway leading to John F. Kennedy International Airport after claiming another driver attacked him following a minor traffic collision, according to Port Authority police.
The incident occurred shortly before 5 a.m. on Tuesday in the southbound lanes of the Van Wyck Expressway near JFK. The officer reported that after the two-vehicle crash, the other driver assaulted him, prompting him to discharge his firearm. It remains unclear if any shots struck the suspect, who fled the scene.
The Port Authority has not confirmed whether the officer was driving an official vehicle, and his name has not been released. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The officer was unharmed.
The shooting caused traffic delays during the morning commute, though conditions improved later. This incident follows a weekend of significant disruption at JFK due to winter weather, with nearly five inches of snowfall causing a ground stop that halted all takeoffs and landings.
According to the FAA, over 1,000 flights were delayed on Sunday. Delta Air Lines temporarily stopped departures to JFK, citing winter weather conditions affecting taxiways. The airline apologised for delays, emphasising safety as a priority. Monday saw further cancellations as the airport recovered from the weekend's disruptions.
