Shoppers at a Worcester Stop & Shop got more than they bargained for when a handgun was discovered on a store shelf. The Worcester Police Department confirmed that the weapon, identified as a "real, unloaded handgun," was found by a customer at the supermarket located at 949 Grafton Street on Tuesday afternoon. The unexpected find prompted an investigation which soon revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen from New Hampshire in 2021.
The incident raises serious questions about how the stolen gun managed to find its way into a public and ostensibly safe space. It also brings to light the broader issue of gun thefts in the region, with New Hampshire reporting 115 guns stolen or lost in 2021, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street referenced by CBS News Boston. Police have yet to publicly speculate on how the gun got there or to identify any suspects in the case. The investigation is still active, and authorities are looking to piece together the circumstances surrounding this alarming discovery.
The Worcester Police Department did not immediately release any further details on the ongoing investigation but affirmed that steps are being taken to fully understand this incident.
The police are encouraging anyone with information to come forward to assist in resolving the matter, as reported by Boston 25 News.
