Achi news desk-
METHUEN, Mass. –
Seven people were shot and wounded, and an eighth was injured while running away when gunfire erupted at a large gathering of young people in Methuen, Mass., authorities said Sunday.
The gunfire began shortly before 2 a.m. after hundreds of people gathered for a pop-up party organized on social media, officials said at a news conference. The victims range in age from 17 to 22, officials said. Two of them were in a serious condition.
“This is another tragic case of gun violence that brings us together this morning,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. “It’s pretty amazing, with the amount of ballistic evidence that we’re improving, that more people weren’t hurt.”
Authorities declined to comment on the number of suspects. No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered.
Metheun Police Chief Scott McNamara said authorities had been monitoring other “hot spots” where such gatherings typically take place, but Sunday’s attack took place at a new location and was the first to turn into violent
“Usually these meetings involve very loud music, disorderly behaviour, sometimes drinking,” he said. “We try to act where we can to discourage him, and we have been fairly successful in that respect. Unfortunately we had a tragic incident here in Metheun last night.”
