Worcester Police investigating report of gunfire, three-year-old found injured

WORCESTER, Mass. — While investigating reports of gunfire on Thursday night, Worcester Police said they found an injured child.

According to Lt. Sean Murtha, around 8:30 p.m. officers responded to an area near Harding Street for a report of gunshots. When they arrived on the scene, they found a vehicle damaged by gunfire.

Four children between the ages of 3 and 11 were inside of the vehicle, along with a mother, said Lt. Murtha.

“It’s disgusting that someone would shoot at any vehicle, let along one with 4 kids in it. It’s our top priority to solve this and not something anyone should have to deal with.”

A 3-year-old girl was reportedly injured during the shooting, although police said it was unclear her injuries were from the grazing of a bullet, or from debris caused by the bullets.

“The exact manner of how that happened, we’re unsure about. Whether the child was grazed, or whether it was metal that was knocked from the car, something like that,” he said.

A neighbor one block away told Boston 25 he called 911 after hearing the gunshots ring out.

“I knew it was gunfire because I was in the military. I know when I hear gunfire,” said Ron Holbrook.

Holbrook added that he has witnessed an increase in violence and crime around the Crompton Park area, and joined a neighborhood Crime Watch group in order to raise awareness of the issue.

“I’m upset about it. It shouldn’t happen in my neighborhood.”

As for a motive, Worcester Police said Friday that they did not yet have one. No arrests had been made as of Friday at 4:30 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Worcester Police by sending an anonymous tip here.

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