On 09/19/2024 at approximately 7:22 AM, Troop H-Hartford received a report from a driver who was traveling on I-84 Westbound in the area of exit 43 in West Hartford when another driver displayed a firearm during a road rage incident.
A responding Trooper met with the complainant in a location off of the highway to investigate this matter. The complaint explained to the Trooper that they were traveling in the left lane of three on I-84 Westbound in the area of exit 43 when they observed another vehicle, described as a Nissan Altima, weaving in and out of the travel lanes, then proceeded to unsafely merge into the left lane in front of them. The complainant explained that they honked their horn towards the Nissan and in response, the operator of the Nissan slammed on their brakes. The complainant explained that they made a hand gesture towards the operator of the Nissan and then they observed the operator, described as an adult male, point a firearm towards them through the driver’s side window. The complainant explained that they distanced themselves from the Nissan in an effort to avoid further escalation with the operator. The complainant explained that the operator merged into the center lane and motioned with his hand to suggest that they position their vehicle alongside his. The complainant explained that they further distanced themselves from the Nissan and proceeded to call the police, at which point the Nissan continued traveling Westbound on I-84. The complainant provided the Trooper with the accused’s vehicle description, the license plate, the operator’s descriptors, and a description of the firearm.
With the information provided by the complainant, the Trooper was able to determine that the Nissan was a rental, and the renter was listed as Kewon Rondell Banks, (DOB 11/19/1991), of Manchester. Troopers responded to Banks’ residence in Manchester, but did not locate him there. An occupant of the residence contacted Banks by phone so that Troopers could speak with him. During their phone conversation, Banks explained he was at work but agreed to meet with Troopers.
Troopers met with Banks shortly thereafter and discussed the reported incident with Banks. During their discussion, Banks admitted to displaying his firearm during a road rage incident earlier in the day because he thought the other driver was reaching for something. Banks explained to Troopers that the firearm was still in the vehicle, which was later located and seized as evidence.
As a result of the information obtained during the investigation, Banks was arrested and transported to Troop H where he was processed with the following violations:
C.G.S. 53a-61aa(a)(3), Threatening 1st Degree – Display of a Firearm
C.G.S. 53a-181(a)(1), Breach of Peace 2nd Degree – Violent/Threatening Behavior
Banks was released on a $5,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Hartford Superior Court on 10/09/2024.
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