MANCHESTER — Police are investigating after two men were shot Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Cedar and Lincoln streets, about two blocks away from a busy elementary school.
Manchester Police Capt. Brian O’Keefe said police responded to a 911 call around 3:30 p.m. reporting two male victims, 18 and 24 years old, had been shot in the lower body. O’Keefe said both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
A man working behind the counter at Mr. Market, 297 Spruce St., said he heard gunfire break out near the store.
“I hear three or four gunshots,” said the man, who would only identify himself to a Union Leader reporter as Vinny. He said he remained inside as police arrived at the convenience store at the corner of Spruce and Lincoln streets.
“I didn’t look out to see what happened.”
An armed robbery was reported at Mr. Market in January. The thief was chased out by a man who happened to be in the store at the time.
“I just stayed inside today,” said Vinny. “It happens too much. It’s getting scary.”
A resident of an apartment building at 301 Spruce, who asked their name not be used, said they saw one of the victims being taken from the scene Wednesday with what appeared to be a tourniquet around one leg.
“He looked like he was hurtin’,” said the resident.
Manchester police had Lincoln Street blocked off with yellow caution tape at the intersections with Spruce and Cedar streets into the evening. Evidence technicians could be seen photographing an area of the street and sidewalk across from 432 Spruce, where six yellow markers — typically used to indicate where evidence is collected — were spread out on the ground.
The active crime scene was located about two blocks away from the Henry Wilson Elementary School at 401 Wilson St.
"Manchester Police alerted us to the situation and we immediately put Henry Wilson Elementary School and Beech Street Elementary School into secure campus," said a spokesman for the Manchester school district. "Both schools had already dismissed for the day, but had after school programs in progress. The secure campus was quickly lifted and the after school programming was not interrupted."
James Yeung was playing catch with his young son at nearby Sheehan-Basquil Park, located on the corner of Maple Street and Auburn Street, as police worked the crime scene nearby.
He was unaware the shootings had occurred.
“We’re just enjoying a sunny day,” said Yeung. “It’s scary that happened right up the street.”
No further information was available from Manchester police Wednesday night.
