Customs officer fires service weapon during altercation near JFK Airport, police say

Authorities were investigating an early morning incident Tuesday in which an on-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer fired his service weapon "several times" following a two-vehicle crash on the southbound Van Wyck Expressway near the entrance to Kennedy Airport.

The Port Authority said its police responded to the scene after the 4:48 a.m. shooting near the entrance to the airport’s central terminal area.

The identity of the officer was not released.

In a statement, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said: "This incident is under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility who also responded to the scene, No injuries are reported at this time. Additional requests for information are directed to the Port Authority Police Department, the primary agency investigating this event."

The Port Authority said the customs officer told responding police he’d been assaulted by the driver of another vehicle "subsequent to a minor vehicle accident." The officer then said he had fired his service weapon during the altercation — though the statement from the Port Authority did not provide details.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was arrested or charged. The Port Authority said only that the investigation is ongoing.

Authorities said travelers headed to Kennedy Airport should expect access delays.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.