An off-duty Montgomery County Police officer is under investigation after he pulled out a weapon during a traffic dispute at the University of Maryland.

The incident happened around 1:20 p.m., Saturday, in a parking lot near the Byrd Stadium in College Park while the Terrapins played a football game against Connecticut.

The officer is accused of striking a man with his vehicle's sideview mirror, either clipping the man in the hand or hitting a water bottle, said University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky.

The officer accused the man of throwing the water bottle at his windshield, and got out of his vehicle, Limansky said. A scuffle ensued, and the off-duty officer pulled his weapon, police said. The officer told a nearby public safety worker that he was a Montgomery County police officer and to call 911 for help.

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When police arrived, they found the off-duty officer with his gun drawn. The officer holstered his weapon, and both sides cooperated with police. The officer's name is not being released because he has not been charged, Limansky said.

Montgomery County spokesman Capt. Paul Starks said internal affairs is coordinating with the university police to determine whether any departmental rules have been violated. Starks said an off-duty officer is allowed to draw his weapon under some circumstances.

The incident was first reported by the school newspaper, The Diamondback.

smccabe@washingtonexaminer.com