FITCHBURG — Some residents are on edge after an early Monday morning shooting capped off a violent week in the city, but city officials stressed that the city is safe while the Police Department investigates three separate shootings that wounded two and killed 23-year-old Leon Wilson Jr.
Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest Martineau and Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale issued public statements on the safety of the city during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
“I’ve been asked several times in the last few days if Fitchburg’s safe,” Martineau said. “My response to this question starts with our intense focus on current events, and not to minimize these current events and their victims. Public safety, much like perception of crime, is individualized. Having been a police officer in this city going on 33 years, I can assure you Fitchburg is moving in the right direction and Fitchburg is safe.”
Wilson Jr. was shot near 30 Blossom St. shortly before 9 p.m. on Thursday. He was then taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Leominster where he was pronounced dead.
“No matter what the circumstance, any loss of life is tragic and I would like to assure the surviving family that the very best resources have been committed and have been working diligently to bring justice to this senseless act of violence,” said Martineau. “While I cannot comment on these active investigations, I can say we have some of the finest in law enforcement working to bringing closure to these cases.”
The second shooting took place about 25 minutes later near 48 Goddard St., where several shots were fired at a vehicle and a man sitting in the car sustained minor injuries.
On Monday, a 22-year-old man walked into the Fitchburg Police Headquarters at approximately 2:15 a.m. and told police he had been shot near where Wilson was killed. The victim of Monday’s shooting was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated.
No suspects have been apprehended in regards to these shootings.
Despite assurances from the city, several residents have said the shootings left them feeling uneasy.
“There’s just too much of this,” said resident James Johnson. “I don’t remember it ever being this bad a few years ago.”
Johnson said his family’s safety is a priority and the recent shootings have made him a bit nervous.
“This past weekend is not indicative of where we are as a community,” said Martineau.
“The safety of our city is my number one priority and I will make sure I utilize every resource possible to achieve that goal.”
“I can assure the family and the public the combined efforts of the Fitchburg Police Department, along with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police, are doing all they can to bring the perpetrators of this act to justice,” added DiNatale. “We continue to assure the citizens of Fitchburg that our city is indeed safe, and that these incidences are calculated acts.”
DiNatale gave his condolences to Wilson’s family and also urged residents with any knowledge of the shootings to step forward.
Other city officials echoed Mayor DiNatale’s comments.
“These tragic incidents can’t and won’t define what are neighborhoods are,” said City Council President Michael Kushmerek. “We still need to stay vigilant but these communities are safe because of the work people do alongside their police force.”
Kushmerek said residents should report suspicious activity to the police so they can get the job done.
“I know our police force is working with city officials to ensure that justice is brought about,” he said. “They work on improving the safety of our neighborhoods each and every day.”
Yet, residents are nervous. “I grew up here. I’ve been here for 55 years, but I’ve never been afraid,” said Diane, who lives a few streets over from where Monday’s shooting took place. “We never had to worry about all the gunshots, it felt a lot safer and I don’t know why it changed.”
Another resident said news of the shootings is getting a bit scary.
“I’m scared of my grandkids growing up in a world like this,” said Lori Scaralelavoie. “When I heard of another shooting happening at the same place, I told my husband this is getting ridiculous,” said Steve. “When are things going change around here?”
There have also been several shootings in the city within the past few months.
Richard Bennefield, 24, allegedly shot a 33-year-old man in the shoulder following a dispute on April 11 at his home at 21 Normal Road.
On April 23, a man was shot during a home invasion in an apartment at 9 Chester St. The suspects in that shooting have not been arrested.
A second home invasion, which took place on June 4 at 43 Brigham Park, left two residents with serious gunshot wounds. Police at the time said there were three suspects in the case. No arrest has been made.
The recent rash of shootings comes two weeks after city officials reported encouraging data which marked a decrease in overall crime throughout Fitchburg, including all-time lows in some categories.
Fitchburg police reported fewer violent crimes in 2018 compared to the five-year average. But reported weapons violations in 2018 more than doubled from 2017 and there were 52 reports of shots fired in the city.
Reports of assaults, however, also appear to continue a downward trend, with only 168 aggravated assaults compared to last year’s 207.
There were two murders last year, both of which were solved by the department.
Police say they continue to investigate the recent shootings, and no arrests have been made at this time.
To reach Daniel email dmonahan@sentinelandenterprise.com
