Police officers swarmed the scene after reports of gunfire on County Street in New Bedford this past Wednesday evening. The City of New Bedford Police Department confirmed via a social media post that the incident, which unfolded just after 5:30 p.m., escalated into a vehicle crash on Spring Street. The driver, fleeing on foot, was later apprehended with injuries and identified as Tyrell Sanchez, a 31-year-old Plymouth resident. According to their official Facebook page, authorities discovered Sanchez suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower left leg and transported him to the hospital.
While investigating Sanchez's vehicle, officers found a loaded Glock 43 handgun with five rounds of 9mm ammunition and two substantial bags of cocaine, which weighed in over two kilos. Alongside the illicit drugs, police seized $2,200 found on Sanchez, suspecting the money to be drug proceeds. The City of New Bedford Police Department stated that before the car crash, Sanchez was shot at, with corresponding gunfire damage observed on a nearby residence. With Sanchez lacking the appropriate Massachusetts firearm license, he faces charges including carrying a loaded firearm without a license and trafficking in a significant amount of cocaine.
As the investigation into the County Street shootout continues, New Bedford police are seeking information from the public. They encourage anyone with knowledge about the incident to reach out. Tips can be provided anonymously, suggesting a clear acknowledgment of the sensitive nature of the case. The department's call to action includes the option to submit information through calling 508-99-CRIME or via their website.
The quick response and subsequent arrest were aided by cooperation between various law enforcement agencies. The New Bedford department highlighted the support of the Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation and The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department, among others, in the resolution of this violent affair.
