Off-duty NYPD cop shoots unarmed motorist to death in road rage incident

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An off-duty New York police officer fatally shot an unarmed motorist in front of his wife and kids during a roadside altercation over the July 4 holiday.

The shooting reportedly occurred at an intersection on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn around midnight Monday. The altercation began after the deceased man, Delrawn Small, became irate after believing that NYPD Officer Wayne Isaacs had cut him off in his vehicle. Small then followed the officer for several blocks in his car, the New York Post reported.

When the men stopped at the red light, Small got out of his vehicle and began punching Isaacs through an open car window, according to police. Isaacs then reportedly pulled out his service weapon and fired three rounds, hitting Small in the head and chest, witnesses said.

Small was driving with his girlfriend, Zaquanna Albert, their 5-month old son, and one of Albert's teenage daughters at the time. He died at the scene.

The officer, a three-year veteran of the department, was treated at Jamaica hospital for cuts and bruises to his face.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said Monday that Isaacs was likely going home after a shift when the incident occurred but did not reveal more details about the case.

"It's much, much too early to draw any conclusions at this time," Bratton said. "It is a protocol that our Force Investigation Division will do a very comprehensive initial investigation. We're gathering a lot of video from the area, cameras that we were able to identify. We have talked with the officer."

He added "We are comfortable, based on the preliminary investigation, that it was an apparent road-rage incident that precipitated the events. But as to what exactly occurred during those events, that's what the investigation will seek to determine."

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