lawrence

18-Year-Old Killed, 5 Others Injured in Lawrence House Party Shooting

Prosecutors did not announce any arrests, but do not believe the shooting on Royal Street was a random act of violence.

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An 18-year-old is dead and five others are injured after gunfire erupted at a house party early Sunday morning in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Lawrence police responded to a disturbance call at a Royal Street home around 3 a.m. and found six people had been shot, according to a statement from the Essex County District Attorney's Office.

All six victims were taken to Lawrence General Hospital, where one was pronounced dead, the DA said. Two of those victims were later flown by medical helicopter to hospitals in Boston for additional treatment.

The person who died has since been identified as Desiderio Arias, of Lawrence, the DA said later Sunday.

Authorities have not shared a possible motive in the shooting or announced any arrests, but the district attorney's office said the gunfire did not appear to be a random act of violence.

Royal Street residents spoke to NBC10 Boston later Sunday and said they were terrified after finding out six people were shot at a nearby apartment, with one person saying they heard around 10 gunshots overnight.

A man who identified himself as Luis said he was scared and sad by what happened.

"We are really scared because I have kids. I got a 2-year-old nephew," he said. "It's really sad. I got a 15-year-old and 21-year-old and it's sad to hear that."

Neighbors also said this wasn't the first time they've heard parties at that house, and they want to see more police in the area.

"It's been happening quite a lot, a lot of times," another man said.

"This kind of party going on at houses is something that has to stop, has to stop, because many times when we wake up and we hear neighbors party midnight, 3 in the morning," Luis said. "The police have to take care of the problem that we have in our city."

An investigation into what happened at the party is ongoing.

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