A motorist pepper-sprayed an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a road rage confrontation on the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County on Saturday, Oct. 24.
No arrests have been made, Maryland State Police said. The agency is leading the investigation.
The incident happened on the outer loop of Interstate 495 near Colesville Road shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to The Banner, which first reported the story.
One of the two men allegedly involved called the state's Emergency Communications Center, state police said. The caller reported that the driver of a black BMW cut in front of him on I-495 and slammed on the brakes.
Both drivers pulled over. An altercation followed, according to state police.
ICE confirmed an off-duty agent was involved and said the agent was pepper-sprayed by a motorist. The agency referred questions to state police.
In a statement, an ICE spokesperson said the agency's employees "are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct."
DC News Now reported the agent was on his way home at the time. State police would not confirm additional details of the interaction to that outlet.
Troopers from the Rockville barrack responded to the call. State police said troopers assigned to the agency's Highway Gun Crimes Initiative are working with the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office on the case.
Montgomery County Police said state police handled the incident and referred questions to that agency.
State police have not identified either driver or said which one is the off-duty agent. The investigation remains open.
