Three men withstand 12 gunshot wounds in Lynn

LYNN – Police are investigating a triple shooting in the Highlands early Saturday morning that left two men at Massachusetts General Hospital with a total of 11 gunshot wounds.Lynn Police on routine patrol in the Highlands reported responding at 1:25 a.m. Saturday to the area of Essex Street and Highland Avenue upon hearing what officers believed to be approximately 15 gunshots, Lynn Police Lt. Peter Holey said Saturday.Officers next heard a large commotion at 17 Highland Ave., where they were directed to three victims.A 33-year-old man from Revere had seven gunshot wounds to his torso. A 29-year-old man from Lynn had four gunshot wounds to the torso; and a 30-year-old man who resided at the address had a single gunshot wound to his wrist area, Holey reported.He said that the 33-year-old man had a large bag of crack cocaine underneath his body.Both victims with multiple gunshot wounds were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, Holey said. The third man was taken to Salem Hospital.Police said no arrests have been made in the incident, which remains under investigation.Police are familiar with the address, however, which was the target of a planned armed home invasion in 2012 that resulted in a police-involved fatal shooting.A federal wiretap revealed a plan by Brandon Payne, 23, and three associates to steal drugs from a rival gang member who resided at the Highland Avenue home, according to a report on the incident by Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.Police tried to stop Payne’s vehicle and another vehicle on the way to the home, but Payne rammed his car into a police vehicle and was fatally shot by officers, according to Blodgett’s report. Blodgett concluded officers were justified in using deadly force in the incident.