SALEM — Law enforcement officers conducted a search Sunday afternoon for a six-foot-tall black male suspect wearing grey clothing and carrying a long gun (possibly an air rifle or BB gun) in the woods behind the Walmart on Highland Avenue.
According to Salem Police, officers responded to a 10:50 a.m. report that a man with a rifle had run into the woods behind the building.
Upon arrival, officers spoke to a witness on scene and observed that the windows of a backhoe loader in the rear of the lot had been shattered by a projectile.
Evidence was located showing that this incident was likely the result of an air rifle, and BBs are suspected to be the projectiles in question.
There were no identified threats to individuals made during the incident according to Salem PD.
Lynn police sent three or four cars to assist, per their report and units from Salem, Peabody, North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and Salem State University were also on the scene.
Salem resident Fred Votta, who drove past the scene, reported that a large section of the Walmart parking lot had been blocked off and that police had set up a large perimeter.
“I stepped out of my vehicle and I started walking towards the area,” he said. “All of a sudden an officer came up with a rifle and asked me to leave the area right away.”
By 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Salem police reported that they had not yet located the individual in question.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Salem Police Criminal Investigations Division (CID) at (978) 745-9700 or the anonymous tip line at (978) 619-5627.
