Chaos ensued in the parking lot of 12 Pope Street in Salem on the evening of May 5 when Salem Police responded to a report of gunfire. The scene remained unruly with many individuals nearby and some actively hindering the police investigation. The incident left one person assaulted with a glass bottle and another with a gunshot wound which was thankfully non-life-threatening.
The swift response included not only local officers but K9 units specialized in detecting firearms. The main street was soon echoed with the barks of these trained dogs as they scoured the area. A firearm, the catalyst for the night's violence, was unearthed in a nearby thicket by the duo of Melrose Officer Sean Morris and his K9 partner, Giselle. The continued investigation, spanning several weeks, culminated in the apprehension of three individuals, as confirmed through a social media post by Salem Police Department.
The charges levied are serious and varied, sweeping up Angel Percel, aged 22, on counts of Assault & Battery and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, specifically a bottle. Shamus Horton, aged 20, finds himself facing charges for illegal firearm possession, discharging said firearm close to a dwelling, and Assault & Battery by Discharging a Firearm. Lastly, Anthony Vazquez, aged 21, stands accused of possessing a large capacity firearm and feeding device, possessing ammunition without proper licensing, and acting as an accessory after the fact.
In the aftermath of an event like this, the efforts of law enforcement partnerships become clear. The Salem Police Department expressed gratitude towards the Melrose Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Recognizing the invaluable assistance provided by the K9 units, which were trained and certified by the ATF, they acknowledged a collaborative approach in addressing such critical incidents.
