Shootings kill two teenagers in Lynn
Mayor says recent spate of gun violence ‘utterly unacceptable’
LYNN — Two teenagers were fatally shot Wednesday night, after three people were injured in a shooting in the city the night before, authorities said, stressing the incidents were “targeted attacks.”
At 10:21 p.m. Lynn police received several 911 calls reporting shots fired near 10 Camden St., and responding officers found two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said.
Both teenagers were taken to Salem Hospital-Mass General Brigham, formerly known as North Shore Medical Center. The 16-year-old victim was pronounced dead in the emergency room. The 19-year-old victim also succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, authorities said.
Neither was identified, pending notification of their next of kin, according to Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office.
The shooting, which occurred in a commercial area off Western Avenue, came a little over 24 hours after a three people were shot at a pizza shop near downtown.
On Tuesday, at 8:32 p.m., Lynn police received a 911 call after three people were shot near the Pizza Hut located at 39 State St. in Lynn, authorities said. The victims were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and they appear to be in stable condition, authorities said.
Investigations into the two separate shooting incidents are ongoing, according to the DA and Lynn Police Chief Christopher Reddy.
“Effects of gun violence are devastating especially when young people are involved and losing their lives,” Tucker said in a statement. “Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to my office, the Lynn Police, and Lynn officials are committed to exhausting every possible resource in an effort to interrupt this pattern of senseless violence.”
Reddy said the Lynn Police Department and State Police are committing “significant resources” to the investigations and “will continue to do so until the offenders are held accountable.”
“Based on our investigation to this
point, we believe that these are targeted attacks, and we ask for the public’s help,” Reddy said in the statement. “If you have any information, please contact investigators at 781-477-3190.”
Lynn Public Schools Superintendent, Evonne S. Alvarez, confirmed one of the victims was a student in the district in a message to families.
“We have experienced a tragic loss within our school community,” Alvarez said in a letter that was posted on Facebook. “Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to the families, friends, staff, and everyone affected by the devastating loss of student life.”
Dedicated support services will be available for students and staff the week of Jan. 2, Alvarez said. Additionally, the superintendent said Lynn schools will continue to prioritize safety.
“Together, we can foster an environment of appropriate conflict resolution, respect, kindness, and compassion,” Alvarez said. “As students and staff return to school next week, let us embrace each other with a sense of unity, determination to end violence, and perpetual hope.”
The shooting took place directly in front of an auto repair shop and across the street from a gas station in West Lynn.
An older man, who didn’t want to share his name, stood in the rain sweeping up the trash left at the scene. He didn’t know where the trash came from, but he always tried to clean up the area when he sees a lot of trash.
He said he knows there was a shooting in the area involving teenagers and it is “just horrible.”
Bruce Costello, 61, who moved to the neighborhood three weeks ago, said he saw the lights flashing outside his window until about 1 a.m. but was unaware of the circumstances.
“They really must do something about these firearms,” he said. “Lynn seems to be a hot spot for trouble.”
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson offered his condolences to the victims’ families.
“We offer condolences to the families of the two victims in last night’s shooting and we will offer support to the school communities grieving these losses,” Nicholson said in a statement.
“We appreciate our law enforcement team for all their intensive efforts over the last two days. This violence is devastating, infuriating, and utterly unacceptable. We will respond with increased police presence as needed and renewed urgency and clarity in our efforts for peace, justice, and a safer community.”
‘They really must do something about these firearms. ... Lynn seems to be a hot spot for trouble.’
BRUCE COSTELLO, resident speaking on the recent spate of violence in the North Shore community