Man Had Loaded Gun Inside Crowded Stamford Park, Police Say

STAMFORD, CT — A 36-year-old convicted felon was found with a loaded handgun inside a crowded city park on the evening of Oct. 2, according to Stamford police.

Stephon "Gump" Brown was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm; criminal possession of ammunition; illegal transfer of a firearm; and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

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Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch that the Stamford Police Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit received information on Oct. 2 at around 6 p.m. that Brown had a handgun inside Hatchfield Park on the West Side.

Officers set up surveillance in the area and confirmed Brown was in the park, which was crowded with families and young children, Conklin said, noting officers were reluctant to move in for an arrest at that point.

After continued surveillance, Brown went to leave, and he was detained inside the park near the Richmond Hill Avenue entrance.

Officers found a loaded 9 mm Stoeger Kruger semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine containing 14 rounds and one round in the chamber, Conklin said.

Conklin said Brown has a previous conviction out of Bridgeport in 2021 for possession of an illegal handgun, and he is currently still on probation.

During arraignment in Stamford Superior Court on Monday, Brown's bond was raised from $150,000 to $250,000. He's scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 15.