Arrest made in Lowell shooting

26-year-old accused of shooting alleged victim on Garnet Street

LOWELL >> A 26-year-old man was taken into police custody moments after he allegedly shot a man on Garnet Street during the early morning hours on Saturday.

According to the Lowell Police Department arrest log, Justin

Zapata, who is listed as homeless, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing severe bodily injury, carrying a firearm while loaded, discharging a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a Class A drug.

The alleged victim was transported to a Boston hospital for treatment, according to Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Mark Leblanc.

Reports of a fight and a shooting inside a building on Garnet Street — a street that attaches Appleton and Middlesex streets — came in an emergency radio broadcast shortly after 4 a.m.

Saturday.

Within minutes of the initial broadcast, it was reported that a suspect — identified as Zapata — was in police custody and that his weapon was secured by officers.

“The firearm is warm,” a responding officer states over the broadcast. “He’s saying there was an argument and they attacked him first.”

Leblanc said officers were unable to locate a shooting victim when they arrived at the scene, but they were notified a short time later about a man showing up at a local hospital suffering from gunshot wounds.

The alleged victim was transported to a Boston hospital by medical helicopter, according to Leblanc. His name and age were not provided.

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