A 20-year-old Massachusetts man is facing charges after an incident at a Walmart in Salem on Sunday led to a police search in the area.
Formal charges were filed Monday against Salem resident Jesus Padilla for vandalism of property, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and trespassing, police said.
Police received a call around 10:50 a.m. Sunday reporting a person with a rifle in the woods behind Walmart, located at 450 Highland Ave. in Salem.
According to police, a backhoe was discovered behind the store with windows that appeared to be shattered by a projectile. Police said the evidence they collected on scene suggested the incident likely involved an air rifle and BBs as the projectile.
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Salem police said there were no identified threats made to individuals during the incident or after.
The incident, however, prompted a large police presence in Salem and at a nearby neighborhood in Lynn, according to city police, who cited in a tweet the search for the suspect.
Police didn't originally say what the incident was, but Salem City Councilor Tim Flynn said in a tweet that it apparently involved someone shooting a gun into a car and fleeing into the woods nearby.
"I am horrified this is happening in Salem," Flynn said.
The scene was clear as of 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Salem detectives at 978-745-9700 or the anonymous tip line at 978-619-5627.
