More Shots Fired in New Bedford as Spate of Gun Crime Continues

NEW BEDFORD — Police have confirmed another incident of shots fired in New Bedford on Tuesday night, the sixth gun-related incident in the greater New Bedford area this past week.

New Bedford police said officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of Cedar and Court Streets at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The intersection is right next to the Ash Street Jail.

Further investigation found that shots had been fired, although no injuries were reported, according to police.

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It is illegal to fire a gun within 500 feet of a building in Massachusetts without the consent of the owner.

The incident remains under investigation.

This latest violation of state weapons laws comes after a recent spate of gun-related offenses — including one homicide — in the area.

On Friday, a man was fatally shot on Weld Street, before blank rounds were fired at a Brickenwood apartment.

Then on Friday night, there was an apparent shootout between two groups in a Dartmouth Mall parking lot that was hosting a spring carnival.

Sunday saw two shooting incidents.

One took place Sunday afternoon at County and Merrimac Streets, and the other on Sunday night near Chancery and Elm Streets in which a dog died.

New Bedford Police Union President Chris Cotter told WBSM's Barry Richard on Monday that some of the incidents are most likely related, calling it a simmering rivalry between South End and West End gang members.