The victim told police that the suspect pointed a handgun at him
Ryan MurphyWESTFIELD – Police arrested a 20-year-old Chicopee man following a road rage incident on Route 20 that led to a brandished handgun Monday afternoon.
Police became aware of the incident about 2:40 p.m. when the victim told an officer working an extra-duty detail on the roadway that the suspect had pointed a handgun at him, Lt. Hipolito Nunez said.
The victim told police that he had been driving east on Route 20, on a stretch that is also known as Russell Road, when the suspect pulled out directly in front of him from Lloyd’s Hill Road, Nunez said.
“He had to slam the brakes,” Nunez said.
The victim told police that he passed the suspect and then deliberately slowed-down in front of him, Nunez said.
“The victim then looked in the mirror and saw the suspect had a handgun pointed (at him) outside the window,” Nunez said.
Police put out a description of the vehicle and Officer Kevin Swords stopped it a short time later on Union Street. A black handgun found inside proved to be an air-powered BB gun, said Nunez, adding that police recovered two additional air guns from the vehicle.
A double-edged Samurai-sword, which is illegal in Massachusetts was seized from the trunk, Nunez said.
Ryan M. Murphy, of 490 McKinstry Ave., Chicopee, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon ( the BB gun) and carrying a dangerous weapon (the sword).