METHUEN — A spontaneous car meetup of hundreds late Saturday turned violent when seven people were shot.
District Attorney Paul Tucker said the shooting occurred at a meetup publicized through social media. As of Sunday morning, five of the victims were in stable and two were in critical condition.
Police had yet to name a suspect or suspects as of Sunday night.
The gunshot victims ranged in age from 17 to 23.
“This case has been part of a series of these social media Snapchat events where people meet up,” Tucker said.
Police responded to 100 Lindberg Ave. on Sunday about 1:55 a.m.
“Our hearts go out to the families,” Mayor Neil Perry said in response to the shooting.
Perry said the city needs to find a way to break up incidents like these before anything can happen. He added that the city is working to augment Methuen’s 98 police officers with more technology such as video cameras.
At a press conference Sunday morning, officials said while these car meetups typically do not lead to violence, they often result in trespassing and loud music, and are something the Methuen Police Department seeks to prevent.
The city has installed 50 cameras in the community and plans to add more next week. Perry said the cameras are located or will be located at entrances and exits to the city, and in other locations such as playgrounds.
Police have been aided in the investigation by viewing footage from multiple security cameras in the area, according to police Chief Scott McNamara.
City Council Chair Joel Faretra said while cameras work well after the fact and as a potential deterrent, it is difficult to monitor them in real time unless the Police Department knows where to look.
The incident took place near EJ Paving at 101 Lindberg Ave. It is an area of the city made up mostly of businesses such as F.W. Webb and the public works yard.
Neighbors of a nearby residential area said they heard loud music, cars racing and then sirens.
They said it was the first time they heard that kind of a commotion coming from the nearby industrial park.
The reason may be because Lindberg Avenue has not been used in the past for these kinds of car meetups, police said.
Tucker said the victims and witnesses are from “all over the county and beyond.”
Faretra added that he suspects at least some of the people attending the gathering were probably from Methuen.
They “pick places that are easily accessible and where you can get away quickly,” Faretra said.
He said the city has faced similar issues in the past due to the proximity of major highways.
However, he added, “We haven’t seen anything like this.”
Police had yet to find a weapon and while they had “strong leads,” they had not yet honed in on a suspect by Sunday evening.
Authorities said there were multiple shots fired but did not specify the number.
“Here, we see again gun violence that is striking at the heart of our community,” Tucker said.
At least one victim was flown to an area hospital.
Tucker added that it was “incredible” more people were not hurt due to the number of people present.
“These acts of senseless violence do not represent our community,” McNamara said.
Officials at the press conference held Sunday morning called the investigation “fluid.”
“We are going to keep working this until we find who is responsible,” Tucker said.