For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Chelmsford Police Arrest Man after Fight, Shots Fired

No Injuries Reported

CHELMSFORD — Chief James M. Spinney reports that the Chelmsford Police Department arrested a Quincy man after a verbal disagreement outside an apartment building on Monday night escalated into a shots fired situation.

As a result of an investigation by Chelmsford Police, ZACHARY A. STEWART, AGE 18, OF QUINCY was arrested and charged with:

• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
• Illegal Possession of a Firearm without a FID Card
• Illegal Possession of Ammunition without a FID card
• Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building
• Attempted Assault and Battery with a Firearm
• Armed Assault with Intent to Murder

On Monday, Dec. 9 at 7:09 p.m., Chelmsford Police responded to Sinai Circle for a report of an altercation between two men that had escalated, with one of the parties allegedly fleeing on foot after firing shots from a handgun at the other man.

Police began a track, and with assistance from multiple Chelmsford Police units, including its K-9, the K-9 unit from the Lowell Police Department and units from the Massachusetts State Police. During the track, police located a discarded handgun, however the suspect was not located.

Police were able to identify the suspect as STEWART after an initial investigation. STEWART and the victim are known to each other, and the investigation indicates that they had argued after STEWART allegedly used the victim’s vehicle without permission. The victim was not injured in the altercation.

It was determined that STEWART has family in Quincy and that he may attempt to return there. Late Monday evening, Quincy Police informed Chelmsford Police that STEWART was in custody, and that Quincy Police arrested him when he arrived at his grandparents’ house in that city.

Police located a Commuter Rail ticket among STEWART’S belongings, indicating he may have traveled by train from Lowell to Boston.

“This incident is a good example of multi-agency coordination and cooperation,” Chief Spinney said. “By working together with our neighbors in Lowell and partners in Quincy, police were able to take an illegal firearm off the streets and locate a dangerous suspect.”

STEWART is being held in custody and will likely be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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