Early Sunday morning, June 16, 2024, a spontaneous car meetup in Methuen, Massachusetts turned chaotic when seven people were shot, with two victims left in critical condition. According to local authorities, the meetup, which took place on Lindbergh Avenue, was attended by hundreds of young people.
Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara reported that officers responded to multiple 911 calls shortly before 2 a.m. Upon arrival, they found seven individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. An eighth person sustained serious head injuries while fleeing the scene. The victims, whose ages range from late teens to early twenties, were transported to nearby hospitals, with one being airlifted due to the severity of their injuries.
District Attorney Paul Tucker provided an update, stating that five of the shooting victims are in stable condition while the remaining two are critical. During the press conference, Chief McNamara stressed that such irrational acts of violence are not a reflection of the community’s values.
The car meetup, organized through social media, is part of a growing trend where young people gather in vacant lots to listen to music, dance, and socialize. Despite the frequent occurrence of such events, violence is uncommon. “I want to reassure our community that while these spontaneous car club meetups do not generally escalate to this type of violence, our policy has been and always will continue to take law enforcement action whenever appropriate,” McNamara stated.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made yet. Authorities are reviewing security footage and asking the public for any information that could lead to identifying the perpetrators. “We have some evidence and some strong leads, but we don’t have a suspect at this time,” Tucker said. He urged anyone with information to contact the Methuen Police Department.
This incident highlights a troubling pattern of gun violence across the nation. Similar shootings have disrupted various events, including a recent incident at a Juneteenth celebration in Texas that left two dead and several injured. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, such violence has become a disturbing trend, particularly affecting young people and communities of color.
McNamara mentioned that law enforcement has proactively monitored social media to anticipate and prevent these meetups. However, Sunday’s event took place in an area not previously known for such activities, making it harder to predict and manage.
The Methuen Police Department maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards these gatherings, especially given the recent events. In a related incident, five individuals were arrested later on Sunday night for participating in another car meetup. The arrested individuals, aged 17 to 24, were charged with trespassing, underscoring the ongoing efforts to curb such activities and prevent further violence.
