Eight people injured in Sunday morning shooting at Methuen party

“When we look at the ballistics evidence we’re recovering, it’s pretty amazing that more people weren’t hurt.”

Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara is seen at a press conference held to discuss the incident in which seven people were struck by gunfire overnight, with two of them in critical condition and five in stable condition as well as an eighth individual who was struck by gunfire while fleeing the scene of a social media meetup in an industrial section of Methuen. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Eight people were injured, two critically, in a mass shooting at a Methuen “car club” meetup where hundreds of people had gathered early Sunday morning, officials said.

Seven people were shot and one was “significantly injured” from falling while fleeing the scene, Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara said at a press conference Sunday.

The victims, ranging in age from 17 to 23, were taken to local hospitals, and “at least one” was medflighted, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. Two were listed in critical condition and five were in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon, Tucker said.

No arrests had been made and a suspect has not yet been identified as of Sunday afternoon, McNamara said at the press conference. He noted that there are “strong leads” in the case.

Methuen police responded to the incident at about 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning after receiving multiple 911 calls, McNamara said.

The shooting happened at what officials termed a “pop-up” party, organized through social media, at 100 Lindberg Ave. At the press conference, McNamara said it was a “car club” meet-up, and Tucker added that “hundreds” of people had gathered.

“When we look at the ballistics evidence we’re recovering, it’s pretty amazing that more people weren’t hurt,” Tucker said.

The meet-ups usually include young people between the ages of 16 and 20 listening to loud music, vaping, drinking, and participating in disorderly conduct, McNamara said.

McNamara said that while the car club meet-ups don’t usually escalate to this kind of violence, police have worked to crack down on them by citing participants for trespassing and other violations. Police have been trying to prevent these parties “in the first place” by monitoring social media and “hot spots” for the meet-ups, he said.

“Unfortunately, where the meet-up happened last night, we’ve never had a meet up in that type of area,” McNamara said.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing by State Police and Methuen police. Anyone with information is asked to report an anonymous tip by calling 978-983-8794.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events of last night,” McNamara said in a statement. “These acts of senseless violence do not represent the values of the Methuen community.”

“We are actively pursuing all leads in this case,” Tucker said in a statement. “We understand the horrible impact that this violence has had on the victims and their families, and we will devote all necessary resources to bring those responsible to justice.”