lawrence

2 shot outside Lawrence bar, leaving neighbors on edge

According to initial reports, the shooting was not fatal

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Two people were shot early Wednesday morning in Lawrence, Massachusetts, according to police in the city.

The Lawrence Police Department said that it got a report of shots fired near Blue Lounge & Grill — at the corner of Canal and Amesbury Streets. When officers got to the scene around 1 a.m., they found two men who had been shot.

The two victims got some care on scene, and then were taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

This is the third shooting in the last few months at or around a restaurant in the city and the second at this particular establishment.

Jorge Veloz, a spokesperson from Blue Lounge & Grill stressed that the violence was not inside the business and said they are taking steps to protect the safety of their patrons. He added that the bar usually has police details on the weekends, and has metal detectors at its entrances.

Brian A. DePeña said the city will increase police patrols in the area, both visibly and undercover.

Ivelisse Santana lives nearby and said she was awakened by yelling and multiple gunshots. She hid under the bed with her kids. She said the situation looked like a horror movie.

The conditions of the two men who were hurt have not been released. Police say it was not a random attack.

No suspects have been arrested. An investigation remains ongoing, with several agencies involved: Lawrence Police Detectives Division and the Essex County State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, as well as the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

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