WEST HAVEN — A routine traffic stop by Newport police led to the arrest of a man with multiple outstanding warrants who also assaulted an officer and was found in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
During proactive motor vehicle enforcement on March 16, a new officer in field training and his mentor observed a vehicle displaying an expired paper license plate.
Upon stopping the vehicle and identifying the passengers, they discovered that one of the individuals, Shaka McKnight, born Oct. 12, 1993, had several outstanding arrest warrants.
The situation escalated when McKnight assaulted one of the officers on the scene.
The officer in training subsequently discovered a ghost gun equipped with an illegal 30-round extended magazine containing 30 rounds of ammunition in McKnight’s possession.
As a convicted felon, McKnight is banned from owning firearms.
McKnight was taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, illegal manufacture of a firearm, illegal possession of a high capacity magazine, weapons in a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a firearm, assault on a police officer, criminal impersonation, and interfering with an officer.
He was held on a $500,000 bond.
A second passenger, Sandra Cruz, born April 5, 1994, was also arrested.
Cruz faced charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal possession of a high capacity magazine, with a bond set at $75,000.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested on several motor vehicle charges and released.
The names of the officers involved were not immediately released, and the investigation is ongoing.
