MANITOWOC – Police arrested a 23-year-old Manitowoc man Saturday morning after he admitted shooting a gun near a downtown tavern, police said.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday, officers from the Manitowoc Police Department were conducting a traffic stop in the 800 block of Washington Street when they heard gunshots coming near a tavern in the 900 block of Washington Street, according to a news release from the department. Police saw several people fighting in the area and then fleeing the scene.

Officers stopped a vehicle seen leaving the tavern, and a passenger in the vehicle admitted to firing several rounds from a handgun into the air to try to stop people from fighting, according to police. Officers found empty shell casings in the street near the tavern.

The 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to the Manitowoc County Jail on charges of recklessly endangering safety, intoxicated use of a firearm and carrying a concealed handgun while consuming intoxicants inside a tavern, police said.

Police do not believe anyone was injured and is continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 920-686-6551. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 920-683-4466 and be eligible for a cash reward.

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Contact Natalie Brophy at 715-216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @brophy_natalie or Facebook at facebook.com/bynataliebrophy.