Two Hartford men were taken into custody by West Hartford Police Friday morning on weapons and other charges.

Dashawn Godwin (left) and Chazz Gaither. Courtesy of West Hartford Police

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police have apprehended two suspects and both are being held on weapons and other charges following a shot that was fired in the vicinity of 904 Farmington Ave. at 12:50 a.m. Friday.

Police report that officers who were on regular patrol outside Los Imperios Restaurant heard a “verbal altercation taking place in the roadway east of their location.”

Officers reported that a single shot was heard. A spent shell casing was recovered in the area, police said.

A vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed and initially failed to stop, police said.

Police were able to stop the vehicle on Auburn Road, which is just about three blocks from the area where the shot was fired.

Police detained and then arrested the occupants of the vehicle, Dashawn Godwin, 30, and Chazz Gaither, 22, both of New Britain Avenue in Hartford.

According to police, a 9mm handgun as well as a facsimile handgun were recovered from the vehicle, along with a small amount of marijuana.

Police said that the spent shell casing found at the scene came from a weapon of the same caliber as the gun found in the vehicle.

“We can’t confirm at this time that either of the men fired the shot,” said Lt. Eric Rocheleau. Both men were reportedly inside Los Imperios before fleeing the scene.

Godwin was charged with having weapons in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana, criminal possession of a firearm, and having a high capacity magazine. Police said that the weapon in his possession had 12 rounds.

According to court records, Godwin had a 2014 felony conviction on drug charges and also had several outstanding warrants on drug charges dating back to Septmber 2-16. He initially provided a false name when detained Friday morning, police said.

Godwin is being held on a total of $475,000 bond. His next appearance in court on charges from Friday’s incident is Feb. 1, 2017.

Gaither was charged with having weapons in a motor vehicle. He was held on $50,000 surety bond, but according to court records was later released on a promise to appear. He is due in court on Feb. 1.

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