(Additional photograph below.)
Three Haverhill men—two 18-year-olds and a 25-year-old—were arrested by Haverhill police and are expected to be charged with firearms-related and assault violations after firing gunshots late Thursday morning, but apparently narrowly missing their intended victim.
Acting Haverhill Deputy Police Chief Meaghan Paré issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying officers were dispatched around 11:30 a.m. to reports of shots fired downtown, in the area of Emerson and Welcome Streets. Those arrested were Riley Quinn and Timothy Mossey, both 18, and Richard Santana, 25. They are expected to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court tomorrow.
A 71-year-old man told photographer Al Pereira he was the intended victim. In an on-street interview with Pereira, shared with WHAV, the man said he was returning home from his workout at the YMCA when several men walked past him while he was sitting in his car.
“When they got to the corner of Murray Court there, they start opening up fire, but you see they got in a little bit because the first bullet the fired came right through my driver’s window,” he said.
The man, whose name is known but withheld by WHAV for the time being, said he believes he was targeted because he reported men he called “hardened junkies” were trespassing at the apartment building after previously being evicted.
Haverhill Police closed the streets with yellow tape and, as their statement reported, officers found “numerous shell casings in the area.” The streets were later reopened.
“The swift and coordinated response by Haverhill Police was instrumental in quickly securing the scene and ensuring public safety. Officers arrived promptly, located critical evidence, and worked efficiently to assess the situation. Their rapid actions led to the timely apprehension of the individuals involved, helping to prevent any further risk to the community,” the statement reads
Besides firearms and assault charges, police said, additional charges may be filed. They said the incident “appears to be isolated, and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.”
Police ask that anyone with more information contact the department’s Detective Unit at 978-373-1212, ext. 1557, or submit an anonymous tip.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to 97.9 WHAV for updates.
Haverhill police officer investigate near the intersection of Emerson and Welcome Streets and Murray Court. (Al Pereira Photography.)