A teenager was arrested for allegedly firing a gun in an apartment in Naugatuck over the weekend during an attempted robbery.
Larry Mason, 18, of Naugatuck faces charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and attempted first-degree robbery, according to the Naugatuck Police Department.
His arrest came after officers were dispatched to a multi-family home on Hill Street on Saturday around 8 p.m. on the report that a gunshot may have gone off in the third-floor apartment, police said. Witnesses reported hearing the possible gunshot as well as cries for help.
According to police, responding officers spoke to witnesses at the scene and made a number of attempts to make contact with the third-floor tenants. They eventually forced their way inside the apartment where they found signs of a struggle, including furniture that was out of place and minor damages, police said.
Police said they also allegedly found “manufactured gun parts” and a possible bullet hole in the building, but no one was in the unit.
After later locating one of the tenants, police said detectives responded to the scene and learned that an alleged “altercation” had occurred in the apartment over money. During the incident, police said, Mason allegedly drew a firearm in an attempt to rob the tenant and, during a struggle, the gun went off.
No injuries were reported, according to police.
During the investigation, police said they seized a 3D-printed lower handgun frame and firearm magazine.
Mason was taken into custody without an issue, police said. He was held on a $500,000 bond and was expected to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Monday.
“The Naugatuck Police Department reminds our community of the importance of preventing youth access to firearms and commends the citizens who reported this altercation promptly to ensure that no persons were harmed,” the police department said in a statement. “We also applaud both our responding officers and the detective division who collaborated efficiently on this investigation to swiftly identify the victim and the suspect involved and bring resolution to this case, ensuring the safety of our community.”
