Latest Update: Search Finds Shells, Gun Sight, But No Suspects
Andover police ended up searching for four suspects — one who was believed to be carrying a gun — after breaking up a “large underage party” at Pomps Pond Wednesday night.
Department spokesperson Lt. Edward Guy was not immediately available for comment Thursday morning. This story will be updated as new details become available.
One caller reported hearing gunshots around 9:30 p.m. and police reportedly recovered four shell casings at the scene. Massachusetts State Police, as well as police from North Reading and Wilmington, assisted in the search, which involved ATVs, K9 units, and a helicopter.
The Town activated its reverse 911 notification system and sent text messages and placed automated phone calls asking residents “who see anything unusual” to call 911.
Scanner Transmissions From Wednesday Night’s Search
Andover News reviewed archived scanner transmissions and has highlighted the following key transmissions. Times are approximate.
8:50 p.m.: “Can you check the Ballardvale Stations? Caller reports 15 to 20 cars being loud in the lot.”
9:13 p.m.: “We spoke to those individuals. We told them to clear it out for the night. They have all since left.”
9:26 p.m.: “[inaudible] He states they’re on the other side of the bridge in Ballardvale up back, beyond Bradford Industries, in that neighborhood. On foot, about 70 of them, no cars in the ares.”
9:31 p.m.: “We have a female caller in the area of Pomps Pond that states that she’s hearing gunfire in the area. At least two different times.”
9:32 p.m.: “According to this gentleman, it sounds like the suspects, at least one of them, are four black males. One of them with a ski mask on. and they took off. They were last seen walking — it sounds like — back to Rec Park. It sounds like there were cars up there too.”
9:35 p.m.: “It sounds like all four of them were masked.”
9:42 p.m.: “I’ll be walking down the pit area. There’s four couple, a couple of witnesses, but it’s definitely a gun.”
9:45 p.m.: “Can you [inaudible] Woburn Street Andover Street, looking for four individuals, masks on, possibly a firearm. They have fanny packs, one has a blue sweatshirt.”
9:46 p.m.: “Sarge, why don’t we clear Rec Park out of the people that are up, ask him head out for the evening and let’s set up a [command post] up there.”
9:47 p.m.: “I’ll have you run that at that location, and I’ll get you some other assets from other communities.
“You don’t want to go down to the party?”
“You got four people, and you got one person searching for someone with a gun, so we’re going to need more than what we have.”
“10-4. We’ll come up and wait for the other assests.”
9:51 p.m.: “A party of four males possibly went towards Ballardvale. Spoke to a couple witnesses…from Andover Street in front of South School heading down to Ballardvale. A large group of individuals, there was a blue sweatshirt involved…I’m going to be down at Arrowhed athletics with two cars.”
9:53 p.m.: “I have North Reading, Wilmington, and MSP headed to 147 Abbott, that’s Rec Park, they’ll meet you there at the command post.”
9:54 p.m.: “We’ll be clear Arrowhead Athletics. They do not fit the description.”
“Was it more than three cars in that lot? Were they still coming out?”
“Three cars. Two were parents picking up their children.”
10:05 p.m.: “We’re down here in the pit. There was definitely a campfire going on here. Nobody’s around. We’re just going to be checking the area.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.