Daylight Shooting Puts Neighbors on Edge

It was a beautiful afternoon on Tuesday.

Winter’s back had been broken, and the warmth of the Sun was strong enough to shed the coats and jackets and go outside.

Everyone was headed out of doors.

Then several shots rang out from a car.

People scattered.

Witnesses said several shots rang out from a car with two to four people in it – shooting at someone who was near the corner of Central Avenue and Willow Streets. That just happens to be about 100 yards from the popular Boys & Girls Club – a place where hundreds of children swarm to every day to try to avoid such street violence and just minutes prior to the daily arrival of hundreds of young people.

Police confirmed that they got the call around 1:38 p.m. in the afternoon on Tuesday for multiple shots fired near 255 Central Ave.

Upon arriving, no one appeared to be injured, but officers and detectives on the Day Shift did discover a car that was said to be involved by witnesses. When police approached, the chase was on.

The vehicle floored it and sped up the street at a high rate of speed.

Witnesses said people were scrambling to get out of the way as the chase continued to Essex Street, where the vehicle went out of control and slammed into a curb.

The operator fled on foot and ended up getting away.

However, the passenger was too slow, and Chelsea Police were able to corral and arrest him.

He was brought back to Police Headquarters for questioning, and the car was towed from the scene.

Word on the street – for what it’s worth – was that the shooting was some sort of retaliation for a shooting last month on Chester Avenue. Following the shooting, the area had a strong police presence most of the night.

The brazen daylight shooting, just as hundreds of young people were preparing to get out of school, certainly shook up the neighborhood. However, Police Chief Brian Kyes said the police will not tolerate such behavior and will send a strong message.

“This brazen act of violence will not be tolerated on Chelsea Streets,” said Kyes. “I am confident that our investigation will lead to the arrest of those involved.”

​Chelsea residents are reminded they can provide information anonymously to the Police Department by calling the 24 hr Crime Stoppers TIP line at 617-466-4880. Anonymous web tips can also be submitted right from the Police Departments website at www.chelseapolice.com.

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