Lee man involved in Epping road rage incident arrested on weapons charge

Edward Braxton (Rockingham Superior Court screen capture)

A Lee man was arraigned Friday at Rockingham Superior Court on charges of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon and felony reckless conduct in connection with a road rage incident on Route 101 last month.

Police got involved around 4:35 p.m. on July 28 as they responded to a report of a road rage incident including shots fired at another vehicle on Route 101 East in the Town of Epping. A witness said they had observed a silver Subaru WRX and a Chevrolet Silverado that were involved in some kind of road rage incident.

According to the witness, the driver of the Subaru pointed a firearm out of the driver side window and fired three rounds at the Silverado. The witness reported observing the vehicles taking Exit 7 and proceeded to travel north on Route 125.

Moments later, officers from the Epping Police Department advised they had the Subaru stopped along Route 125 north and identified the operator as Edward J. Braxton, 48, of Lee.

During the roadside investigation, it was determined that the witness's observations of the operator and vehicle matched the vehicle Epping Police stopped as well as its operator, Braxton. Observations of officers on scene also advised Trooper Jacob Hunt that there was an intact bullet belonging to a firearm in the driver side door pocket that was visible while standing outside the car.

According to a Dept. of Safety press release sent Friday, Braxton admitted he was on Route 101 east and was involved in a road rage incident with another vehicle. He also stated that he was not allowed to own a firearm as he was a convicted felon.

Braxton refused consent to search the vehicle at which time the vehicle was seized, pending a search warrant, police say. This search warrant was granted and a firearm was located in the vehicle. Braxton was later arrested and is being held at the Rockingham County Jail pending his arraignment in Rockingham Superior Court for Felon in Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Reckless Conduct.

Additional charges may be forthcoming, police say.

Braxton remains held at Rockingham County Jail.

All aspects of this incident remain under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact Trooper Jacob Hunt at Jacob.M.Hunt@dos.nh.gov or (603) 679-3333.