Eleven shell casings turned up scattered across the intersection of Princeton and Arlington streets in New Bedford after gunfire tore through the area early Sunday morning, damaging vehicles and buildings along the way. No injuries were reported in connection with the shooting, according to the New Bedford Police Union, and as of Sunday evening no suspects had been identified.
New Bedford police confirmed they recovered the eleven casings and identified damage to both vehicles and buildings near the intersection, according to WJAR. The department is asking anyone with information to come forward. Detectives can be reached at 508-991-6300 extension 79519, and tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call 508-961-4584.
The New Bedford Police Union issued a public appeal for information following the incident to help detectives piece together what happened, according to New Bedford Guide. That kind of appeal has become a familiar refrain in the city this year, as investigators seek information from residents about reported gunfire.
A Gap Left by ShotSpotter's Expiration
A Gap Left by ShotSpotter's Expiration New Bedford let its contract for the ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot detection system lapse in June 2026 amid budget constraints, after police data showed officers confirmed actual gunshots in only about a quarter of the system's alerts. The city had used the technology since 2011 at a total cost of $800,000 over five years, per reporting from the New Bedford Light. Department officials reportedly reopened talks with the vendor in August. The Princeton and Arlington streets shooting remains under investigation.
Investigators may pursue vehicle-related leads when appropriate. Non-fatal shootings and property-damage firearm cases like this one typically fall to specialized units within the department's Detective Division, including the Major Crimes Unit, the Firearms Unit, and the Violent Crime and Intelligence Unit, which handle ballistics analysis and follow-up investigation once patrol officers finish processing a scene.
What Charges Could Apply
Massachusetts law addresses cases involving gunfire that strikes homes or other buildings. The legal treatment of such incidents can depend on the circumstances.
The shooting comes amid ongoing concern about gunfire in the city. The department continues to investigate the incident while working to identify those responsible.
Regional Enforcement Push Continues
Regional Context Authorities continue to investigate gun offenses in the region. The investigation remains focused on identifying those responsible and determining what happened.
New Bedford sits in a region grappling with a similar pattern of summer gunfire. Sunday's incident echoes other recent Hoodline coverage of the area, including a Taunton party shooting sending victims to hospitals. New Bedford has also seen its own string of local gun cases in recent months, including a 21-year-old sentenced after tossing a gun mid-chase.
For now, the investigation into what happened at Princeton and Arlington streets remains open, with detectives still working to identify who fired the shots and why. Police have not announced any arrests or named a motive, and the appeal for doorbell footage suggests investigators are still piecing together the sequence of events from Sunday morning.
