A typical afternoon was shattered by gunfire yesterday, leaving two females severely wounded in a car peppered with bullets. Responding to the sound of shots on Englewood Avenue near 1 Lisbon St. at around 3:10 p.m., Worcester police discovered the victims in a bloodied state, inside a heavily damaged SUV, as Boston 25 News reported.
Both victims were hurried to a local hospital, their conditions undisclosed, in a city not known for such brazen violence. "This was a very violent act," said Worcester Police Sgt. Sean Murtha, in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News. Nearby residents recounted hearing a burst of gunfire in what they described, as a normally peaceful Columbus Park neighborhood close to Coes Reservoir.
The particulars of the crime scene spoke to an unusual level of aggression: over three dozen evidence markers littered the road, depicting where each bullet had fallen. A photo from the scene, showed more than a dozen bullet holes in the SUV's windows, a silent testament to the chaos that had erupted in broad daylight.
Maureen Morales, a local for two decades, expressed her shock to WCVB, "[The neighborhood is] very quiet, very family-oriented. You know your neighbors, you know your friends. You see them walking around, you're out, you're talking with them. To have this happen is just unbelievable." Morales said, disturbed by the "excessive force" and the sheer number of bullets used in the shooting.
No arrests have been made, and the Worcester Police Department continues to probe the incident. As the neighborhood grapples with the reality of the violence that has intruded upon their quiet enclave, Sgt. Murtha could not confirm whether the incident was targeted, asserting that the investigation is still in its initial phase. Morales remains hopeful, telling Boston 25 News, "I just hope they catch the perpetrators quickly."
