Massachusetts

Police Searching for 2 Men in Armed Home Invasion in Fitchburg

The 29-year-old victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries

Police are searching for two men following an alleged home invasion and shooting Tuesday morning in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Authorities said officers responded to the third floor of 9 Chester St. just before noon for a report of a person who had been shot.

Dustin DePauw told NBC10 Boston that two masked men with handguns had broken into his apartment and shot his roommate in the stomach.

"All of sudden I heard another bang on the door and then two dudes came in with guns and they were like, 'Get on the ground,'" recalled DePauw.

He said one of the men punched him in the face during a scuffle which left him with an injured ankle.

"I chased one guy out the building and then I grabbed a shovel and turned around to like come upstairs and I came around the corner and the dude had the gun right in my face," recalled DePauw. "And I just dropped the shovel and put my hands up and ran out. So then I just ran upstairs and my roommate says, 'Yeah, I've been shot.'"

DePauw's 29-year-old roommate was taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said both suspects fled the scene after the incident. It's unclear if they robbed the victims.

A search of the area by both local and state police was unsuccessful.

During the search, Fitchburg Superintendent Robert Jokela initiated lockdowns at two area schools. A couple hours later, the lockdowns were lifted.

One mother who went to pick up her child at Reingold Elementary School said school officials never notified parents about the situation.

"My heart is beating a little bit," said the mother. "It's right around corner. Too close. Close enough for them to lock down the entire school because they were afraid something might happen. That's too much."

Police believe the incident was isolated.

DePauw said he didn't recognize the suspects but thinks they targeted his apartment because he grows marijuana.

Anyone with information on the suspects is urged to contact Fitchburg Police at 978-345-9650.

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