STAMFORD — An 18-year-old Stamford man was arrested Monday after Stamford police say they found a loaded handgun and a high-capacity magazine inside Ferguson Library.
Tip leads officers to suspect inside library
According to Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin, the Narcotics and Organized Crime (NOC) unit received what he described as "timely intel" around 11:30 a.m. that a young male in the Ferguson Library was in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun. The tip included a detailed description of the individual and where he was seated on the first floor.
Officers responded to the library at about noon. Conklin said a man who matched the description was located shortly before 12:30 p.m. in the rear right corner of the library's first floor, seated with two other individuals. All three were detained while officers conducted a search of the suspect's backpack.
Gun, rounds and charges
Police reported recovering a green-and-black Taurus 9mm pistol with a loaded high-capacity magazine. The magazine held 11 rounds and officers said there was one round in the firearm's chamber.
- Arrestee: Markiss Lindsay, 18, Stamford
- Weapon recovered: Taurus 9mm (green and black)
- Ammunition: 11 rounds in magazine, one round in chamber
- Charges: illegal transfer of a firearm, possession of a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine
Lindsay told police he did not hold a valid Connecticut pistol permit and was arrested without incident. He was released on a $100,000 bond, according to police.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Ferguson Library, Stamford |
| Time reported | Tip received about 11:30 a.m.; suspect located before 12:30 p.m. |
| Arrested | Markiss Lindsay, 18 |
| Bond | $100,000 |
"This was certainly a dangerous situation, and proactive arrests go a long way to make our city safe," Conklin said, adding the response was quick and low-key so many people in the library were unaware of the situation.
Safety and community impact
Ferguson Library is a central public space for Stamford residents, drawing families, students and older adults for reading, study and community programs. An incident involving a loaded firearm in such a setting prompted praise from the department for rapid detection and response. Conklin thanked the officers involved in the investigation and arrest, noting the action helped minimize risk to library patrons and staff.
Police did not say whether the other two individuals detained were charged or released. No injuries were reported. The department's prompt arrest underscores a reliance on community tips and intelligence-led policing for preventing potential tragedies in public places.
Next steps
Lindsay faces state charges that include illegal transfer of a firearm, possession of a pistol without a permit and illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine. The case will proceed through the Stamford judicial system; police have not released additional information about any potential links to other crimes or investigations.
Public officials and law enforcement typically urge anyone with information on weapons in the community to contact Stamford Police. In recent years Connecticut law has placed restrictions on high-capacity magazines and requires permits for handguns; enforcement actions and prosecutions follow complaints, tips and investigations such as the one that led to Monday's arrest.
Ferguson Library officials did not immediately provide a statement to police releases cited by authorities. The Stamford Police Department provided the details of the arrest and the recovered firearm in a release circulated following the incident.
