‘Right after we heard the gunshots, we ran’

LOWELL — A man was airlifted by medical helicopter after suffering multiple gunshot wounds during a shooting on Chestnut Street in the city’s Lower Belvidere neighborhood late Saturday morning.

Gunfire was first reported in an emergency radio broadcast at about 11:35 a.m., with responding officers arriving to find a man — conscious and alert — down on the ground with possible gunshot wounds to the arm and leg.

A statement from the Lowell Police Department a few hours after the shooting said the man was transported to a Boston hospital for treatment of injuries that are believed to be non-life-threatening.

Police added that preliminary indications are that this was an isolated incident and the investigation is ongoing.

The victim’s identity was not revealed.

Police blocked off access to Chestnut Street from High Street and taped off a long stretch of roadway between Ash and Willow streets as detectives began documenting evidence and canvassing for surveillance footage from surrounding homes.

Two spent shell casings were visible on the sidewalk near 61 Chestnut St., with a third casing found beside an SUV parked along the curb. A medical bag and a pile of clothing lay in the roadway next to a Nissan sedan in front of 65 Chestnut St., where the victim appeared to have been treated before being taken away by ambulance.

Inside an apartment at the corner of Chestnut and High streets, three young girls — one of whom lives there — said they heard a confrontation unfold before gunfire rang out.

They recalled hearing at least two males arguing outside, prompting them to look out their window overlooking Chestnut Street.

“They were cussing at each other,” said one of the 10‑year‑old girls, explaining that the exchange grew more heated. “We heard one of them say, ‘Oh, I bet you won’t do anything.’ Then we heard two or three gunshots.”

At the sounds of the gunshots, the girls said they ducked away from the window.

“Right after we heard the gunshots, we ran,” said the 11‑year‑old girl. “The next thing we see is police outside.”

They then heard other children nearby shouting, “Someone got shot, someone got shot!”

One of the girls’ mothers said she had not heard the gunfire herself, but her daughter rushed in to tell her what had happened.

The girls agreed the incident was frightening — and not the first time they had witnessed violence in the city.

“It stresses me out sometimes,” the 10‑year‑old said. “All we want is it to be safe for everyone and so people don’t feel scared.”

Another resident who lives in a nearby apartment building pointed to the large number of children in the area as she spoke about the violence while standing near the police tape in slippers.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was making coffee when she heard three pops, which she initially dismissed as fireworks.

“Then I looked out the window and saw all this (expletive), and thought, ‘Oh my God, those were gunshots,’” she said.

She expressed frustration that violence had erupted in a neighborhood filled with kids.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “And that’s the thing — there are children here. And these people come here to do this stupid (expletive).

“If you want to kill each other, kill each other somewhere else,” she added. “Don’t do it in our neighborhood. It gives us a bad name.”

Shortly before 1 p.m., Animal Control was called to a sedan parked in a lot across from the shooting scene.

A detectives opened the vehicle, and a dachshund emerged. Animal Control leashed the dog and removed it from the area. It was not immediately clear whether the vehicle or the dog was connected to the shooting incident, though a detective was seen searching through items inside the car.

No arrests have been announced.

The investigation is being conducted by the Lowell Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Members of the State Police assisted on scene.

At about 1 p.m., as police were gathering evidence and residents talked about the shooting, a loud crunch echoed from nearby High Street. A two‑vehicle crash involving an SUV and a sedan had taken place, and an emotional woman who had been driving the sedan was escorted to an ambulance and taken from the area. The driver of the SUV appeared to be complaining of pain, though it was unclear whether he was transported to a hospital.

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.