Man arrested after firing shot in West Spring Econo Lodge Motel parking lot

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Tuesday, at approximately 1:30 PM, West Springfield patrol officers and detectives responded to the Econo Lodge Motel, 1533 Elm Street, for a man who had just fired a gun in the parking lot. A 911 caller directed responding units to Mr. Stevenson, who was sitting in his vehicle. Mr. Stevenson failed to follow Officer’s instructions and appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating alcohol. He was removed from his vehicle and a firearm was located under the driver seat. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Stevenson had a brief altercation with an unknown male, who had briefly entered Stevenson’s vehicle with him. The unknown male had fled the scene as the passenger in a second vehicle, as Mr. Stevenson struggled with him as he attempted to drive away. As the unknown male fled, Mr. Stevenson pulled the handgun from his coat pocket briefly pointed it at the exiting vehicle, he then fired it towards a wooded area adjacent to the motel parking lot. Following the shooting, he returned to his vehicle. A spent shell casing was located in the lot where Mr. Stevenson had fired the gun. Mr. Stevenson was placed under arrest w/o further incident