Police Probe Shots Fired Near Lawrence Hospital

LAWRENCE, MA -- Lawrence police are investigating a report of shots fired near Lawrence General Hospital Saturday night.

Just before midnight, Lawrence police responded to the area of Canal Street at Marston Street after an emergency medical technician at the hospital reported hearing shots fired.

Upon arrival, police were told that a dark-colored sedan stopped on Canal Street, approximately 30 yards from the intersection of Marston Street, and fired four shots.

The vehicle then moved up to the intersection and fired another round before driving off.

A medical helicopter was taking off from the hospital's pad around the time of the reported incident, and it flew to its destination in Boston without incident, police said.

The Lawrence Police Department is aware of a media report that states the shots were fired at the medical helicopter.

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that this is true, police say.

A routine inspection of the helicopter showed no damage, and the crew on board the helicopter reported nothing out of the ordinary.

A statement posted on Facebook and Twitter by a Boston MedFlight's reports of shots being fired on one of its helicopters were not true..

"Shots were NOT fired at our helicopter last night. Gunshots were heard in the proximity of Lawrence General Hospital helipad. Those shots were NOT directed at aircraft," the statement said.

"Our aircraft departed from the helipad and transported the patient to Boston without incident. Upon landing the pilot was notified to inspect aircraft and no damage was located," the statement continued.

This incident remains under investigation by the Lawrence Police Department.