2 Arrested After Shots Fired In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Two men were arrested on weapons charges after loaded guns were found in a vehicle during a traffic stop early Saturday morning in Hamden. At about 2:45 a.m. on Oct. 12, police responded to the area of Dixwell Avenue and Weybosset Street on the report of “shots fired,” according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

An anonymous caller told police they heard “three to four shots” fired. Moments later, Officer Keron Bryce saw a speeding vehicle going southbound on Dixwell Avenue. He conducted a motor vehicle stop in area of Dixwell Avenue and Helen Street, according to Smith.

Bryce saw a gun underneath the leg of the passenger Carlos Barnes, according to Smith. As Barnes was being removed from the vehicle, he “pulled his hands away” from an officer and ran away, Smith said.

Bryce ran after Barnes and apprehended him. The operator of the vehicle, Antoine Ward, was also arrested, according to Smith.

Police found two loaded guns and a knife in the vehicle. Several shell casings were found on the Route 15 (Exit 60) ramp, Smith said.

Barnes, 28, of Wolcott Hill Road in Wethersfield, was arrested on two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, two counts of weapons in a motor vehicle, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of carrying a pistol without a permit, altering firearm serial number and interfering with a police officer. Barnes, who was detained on a $100,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 25.

Antoine Ward, 29, of Elliot Street in New Haven, was arrested on a charge of weapons in a motor vehicle. Ward, who was detained on a $25,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 25.