On Tuesday, 01/28/25 at approximately 10:17 AM, personnel from Troop G- Bridgeport responded to I-95 southbound near exit 19 in Fairfield for a reported road rage incident. The 911 caller reported that they were involved in a moving altercation with another motorist in traffic who displayed a firearm before continuing on I-95 southbound.
Troopers met with the reporting party, who explained that they were in traffic traveling in the center lane when a grey Ford pickup attempted to cut in from the right lane without ample space to safely change lanes. The reporting party explained that this forced them to veer left to avoid a collision, and the pickup operator corrected back to the right lane. Shortly after this, the reporting party explained they had passed this pickup as traffic in the right lane was moving slower.
After passing the pickup, the reporting party explained seeing this same truck in their rear-view mirror making its way over to the left lane. The reporting party explained that the operator of the pickup then pulled alongside their vehicle in the left lane with the passenger side window down. The reporting party explained that they could not hear what the pickup operator was saying and then continued on ahead. Shortly thereafter, the reporting party explained this truck was once again parallel to their driver side window, and the operator of the pickup was holding a pistol in their right hand. The reporting party explained that the operator smiled at them and then continued on, which prompted the call to 911. The reporting party had video of the incident, and through the course of the investigation Troopers determined that the suspect did in fact brandish a firearm as reported.
The reporting party provided Troopers with a description of the operator, the vehicle and its registration plate. Shortly after the time of the call, responding Troopers located the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop near exit 16 in Westport. The operator was positively identified as Joseph Rankin (DOB 09/26/98), of Bridgeport. Rankin was detained without incident once stopped and a loaded 9mm pistol was located on his person. Rankin explained to Troopers that the other operator may have seen his firearm, but that he did not point it at them. The firearm and ammunition were seized as evidence in this investigation.
Rankin was then advised that he was under arrest and was transported to Troop G where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 53a-181; Breach of Peace 2nd Degree
CGS 53a-62(a(1; Threatening 2nd Degree
Rankin was later released from custody on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Superior Court on 02/25/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
