Police: No one hit after suspect fires shots from vehicle

A 36-year-old Patterson man was caught early Saturday morning after allegedly firing a gun out of a vehicle in Morgan City, but no one was hit by the gunfire, according to a Morgan City police news release.

Arturo Garcia, 36, of Lincoln Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 1:10 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI third offense, illegal use of weapons, inciting a felony, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and no driver’s license.

A patrol officer was working a security detail when the officer observed gun shots being fired out of a dark colored SUV that was traveling on Victor II Boulevard, the release said.

Another off duty officer was able to follow the vehicle until patrol officers could arrive in the area. Officers observed the vehicle in the area of Federal Avenue. A stop was initiated, and Garcia was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Garcia was found to be in an intoxicated state, police said.

Garcia was found to be in possession of a firearm that was reported stolen out of another jurisdiction, police said. During the investigation police learned that Garcia picked up another person at a bar in the area of Victor II Boulevard, the release said.

Garcia gave this person the firearm and attempted to have him fire it out the window of the vehicle, police said. The person refused, at which time Garcia began firing the firearm, police said.

Garcia was also didn’t had a valid driver’s license. Garcia Garcia refused to submit to chemical test for intoxication at the Morgan City jail, police said. Investigators learned that Garcia has had been arrested for driving while intoxicated offenses two separate times, police said. Garcia was jailed.