WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Police arrested two out-of-state men after a road rage incident lead to gunfire Monday night.
West Hartford Police said at 9:30 PM Monday night, they were called by Connecticut State Police to the area of I-84 East by exit 48 about a road rage incident that occurred in the area of 1445 New Britain Ave. The incident was originally reported to Connecticut State Police via 911.
According to West Hartford Police, around 8:45 pm Monday, the victim was leaving the Corbins Corner Shopping Plaza and had a green light. The victim told police that a white Chevrolet Silverado traveling on New Britain Avenue, blew through the red light in its travel lane, nearly hitting the victim's car.
Police said the three men in a pick-up truck pulled up next to the victim's car after he entered New Britain Avenue and exchanged words with the victim. The men in the truck claimed they were driving and were cut off by the victim.
The driver of the pickup followed the victim according to police, and he was forced into the median. Police said the driver of the pickup got out and reportedly started screaming, "Do something! Get out!" The victim told police he could not proceed as the truck was blocking his path. He told police he believed the driver of the truck was hitting the car. Police later found scuff marks on the victim's car.
The victim told police got out of his car with a "stick" to defend himself. Police later described the stick as a plastic martial arts stick, about three feet long with an orange dragon. The driver of the truck "set up" as if he wanted to fight in front of the victim. The victim struck the truck driver and started to walk back to his car when a gunshot was heard.
The victim told police he looked back at the truck and saw a gun in the hand of the front seat passenger. The car's driver told police that the truck driver taunted the victim. The victim ran back to his vehicle, and the pickup truck driver got back in the Chevy and drove onto I-84 East.
Troopers located the pickup truck and it was stopped. No injuries occurred as a result of the gunshot. The three men from the pickup truck were put in handcuffs outside of the vehicle while the investigation was conducted.
Police determined Brandon Bottom, 34, of Ozark, Arkansas, was in the front passenger seat of the pickup and Drew Newman, 26, of Lakeland, Florida was the driver.
Police found a Glock 19 handgun, with 12 rounds in the magazine, one in the chamber, and one loose round in the center console. Police said they had found a 9mm shell casing near the location of the altercation. Newman later told police both the gun and the truck belonged to his mother.
Police said Bottom and Newman were arrested. A third man in the truck was not charged. Police said all three appeared to be intoxicated.
Police said the men were in the state working on a construction project. Both Bottom and Newman were convicted felons and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Bottom was held on $500,000 bond and charged with:
- Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm (53-203),
- Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree (53a-63),
- Discharge of a Firearm from Public Highway (53-204),
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm (53a-217c),
- Carrying a Dangerous Weapon with a High Capacity Magazine (53a-202w),
- Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit (29-35),
- Carrying a Firearm Under The Influence (53-206d(a).
He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday at 101 Lafayette St in Hartford
Drew Newman, 26, of Lakeland, Florida was held on $250,000 bond. Newman was charged with:
- Reckless Driving,
- Weapon in a Motor Vehicle,
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm,
- Breach of Peace
- Carrying a Dangerous Weapon with a High Capacity Magazine
He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday at 101 Lafayette St in Hartford.