METHUEN – Police in Massachusetts say gunfire broke out early Sunday morning and several people were shot during a pop-up party hosted on social media.
Seven people were shot and injured during the overnight violence. An eighth person was injured when he ran when shots were fired at a large group of youths in Methuen, authorities said Sunday.
DA calls it ‘tragic case of gun violence’
The gunfire started just before 2 a.m. after hundreds of people gathered for a pop-up party organized on social media, officials said at a news conference. The victims range in age from 17 to 22 years old.
Two of the victims are in critical condition.
“This is yet another tragic case of gun violence that brings us together this morning,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. “It’s pretty amazing that with the amount of ballistic evidence we’re recovering, more people haven’t been injured.”
A pop-up party was organized on social media
Authorities declined to comment on the number of suspects. No arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered.
Metheun Police Chief Scott McNamara said authorities have been monitoring other “hotspots” where such gatherings typically take place, but Sunday’s attack took place at a new location and was the first to turn violent.
“Typically these gatherings consist of very loud music, disorderly conduct and sometimes drinking,” he said. “We try to take action where possible to discourage it, and in that regard we have been quite successful. Unfortunately, we experienced a tragic incident here in Metheun last night.”
