Suspect Arrested following North-End Shooting

New Bedford, MA – A local man has been placed under arrest following a shooting in the north-end sector.

On Monday, April 1, at around 9:30 p.m., patrol units were called to the Earle Street/Ashley Boulevard intersection regarding a hit-and-run accident involving a man with a gun.  It was then reported that shots had been fired.

Sgt. Andy Simmons was conducting surveillance in the area at the time and observed one of the vehicles leaving before hearing shots ring out. He kept watch over the vehicle as it sped north on Acushnet Avenue. Fortunately, Sgt. Jonathan Lagoa, along with detectives Matthew Sylvia and Emily Pacheco, stopped the vehicle at Acushnet Avenue and Shaw Street.

The operator was removed from the car and identified as JOSE RIVERA SANCHEZ, 32, of 329 Highland Street.  A search of the vehicle revealed him to be in possession of a loaded Polymer 80 firearm with a 10-round magazine, for which SANCHEZ had no license.  The bullets in the magazine matched the brand of the shell casings located at the scene of the accident and subsequent shooting.

SANCHEZ was taken into custody and charged with a variety of offenses, including carrying a loaded, high-capacity firearm and ammunition without a license and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.  He is currently being held pending a dangerous hearing scheduled for later in the week.

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