Massachusetts

2 People Shot, 3rd Injured in Incident at Park in Lawrence

The Lawrence Fire Department said the incident happened around 7:10 a.m. Thursday

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A shooting left two people wounded at a park in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning, police said..

The Lawrence Fire Department confirmed there was an active scene at the Lawrence Flea Market for an incident that happened around 7:10 a.m.

Video taken by NBC10 Boston showed several police vehicles near what appeared to be a walking trail.

Lawrence police said the shooting occurred in a wooded area behind the Manchester Street Park near the Methuen line.

Two people were shot and are expected to survive, police said. A third person was also injured. Their condition was not immediately known.

All three people were treated at the scene by the fire department and EMTs and were taken to Lawrence General Hospital. None of their names have been released.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, but it is not believed to have been a random act of violence.

The shootings have renewed safety concerns in the area, which has become a growing homeless encampment.

Hidden among the tree line overlooking the Spicket River are a number of tents. As detectives worked the crime scene Thursday, the city's leader said they need help getting people off the streets.

Mayor Brian Pena says many people go to Lawrence seeking services and the city does not have the capacity to provide the resources that are needed.

Pena's spokesperson said they are calling on their neighbors to help come up with a plan.

"We don’t need more shelters. We need solutions," Néstor Castillo said. "We need a round table conversation with communities around Lawrence, Haverhill, North Andover, Andover, Dracut, Methuen, so we all find a final solution for helping each other on this situation."

Lawrence's homeless service coordinator said the city has identified 150-200 homeless individuals and over 300 homeless families -- many losing housing due to increasing rents.

She said the waitlist for housing vouchers could mean years before someone can access affordable housing.

Michael Gorman organizes weekly free community dinners in Lawrence.

"At the end of the day it is a person. They need help," he said. "We need to get these individuals help, treatment, maybe it’s even trying to get them housing first and then try to work on the substance use and the mental health problem but we have to be creative in trying to see how can we fix this before it continues to decline as a city."

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