DUI Driver, Passenger Fired Shots From Moving Car: Fairfield PD

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two men are accused of firing gunshots into the air from a moving vehicle, including the driver who police said was operating under the influence, Wednesday night in Fairfield.

John Blackwell, 31, and Alston Powell, 52, have been arrested in connection with the incident, which happened around 9 p.m. in the area of Fairfield Woods and Stillson roads, according to police.

A witness saw the passenger’s arm reach out of the open window, point a gun into the air and fire four shots into the air, police said. The witness called 911 and reported that the vehicle was speeding and turned onto Fairfield Woods Road.

The witness then saw “four more muzzle flashes” from the vehicle at the intersection of Fairfield Woods Road and High Ridge Road, according to police. The witness saw the vehicle enter the Fairfield Woods Library driveway and lost sight of the vehicle, but provided the license number, police said.

An officer saw the vehicle traveling east on Fairfield Woods Road and stopped it, according to police. The driver and passenger were taken into custody, police said, adding that a loaded gun was found in the vehicle and casings were recovered from both the vehicle and roadway.

An investigation found that Blackwell fired a gun into the air from the driver’s seat while operating under the influence, according to police.

Blackwell was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm, discharge of a firearm from a public highway, illegal carrying of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, second-degree breach of peace and operating under the influence. He was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond with a court date of Dec. 21.

Powell was seen by multiple witnesses firing a gun into the air from the passenger seat of the moving vehicle, according to police.

Powell was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal discharge of a firearm, discharge of a firearm from a public highway, illegal carrying of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, second-degree breach of peace and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond with a court date of Dec. 21.