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The incident took place at 8:52 p.m. on Grove Street near Forest Street, police said. Patrol Officer Steven Estabrook was on patrol when he noticed a vehicle stopped in the travel portion of Grove Street with its hazard lights on, police said.
Estabrook noticed that the driver, later identified as Elias Garcia-Ramirez, 29, was passed out behind the wheel, according to police. He approached the car, at which point Garcia-Ramirez woke up and Estabrook requested his identification, police said.
Police said that at this point the facsimile handgun entered the situation. Estabrook retreated and fired several rounds, according to police reports.
Ultimately Garcia-Ramirez was removed for the car and the scene was secure, according to police. Officers assessed Garcia-Ramirez and determined that he had not been hit by the gunfire and was uninjured, according to police.
Police said the facsimile handgun was secured from the front passenger compartment of the car, as well as a partially finished bottle of whiskey. Garcia-Ramirez exhibited signs of being impaired, police said, and was taken to police headquarters. He failed a field sobriety test, according to police.
Garcia-Ramirez was charged with driving under the influence, interfering with police and possession of a facsimile firearm. He was held on a $100,000 and will be arraigned Friday.
Police said they have launched an investigation into the incident and have been in contact with the State's Attorney's Office. Estabrook has been placed on modified duty during the course of the investigation, per the Stamford Police Department's shooting policy, according to police.
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