4 North Shore Men Charged After Shots Fired In Downtown Beverly

BEVERLY, MA — A month-long investigation into a night of gunfire on Rantoul Street led to charges against four North Shore men, according to Beverly police.

Police said "multiple" shots were fired in the area of The Pickled Onion Bar at 355 Rantoul Street on Dec. 6. An Ipswich man, who police said was located and arrested at the scene, told police that someone had fired a gun at him during a confrontation on West Dane Street.

Police said security footage from area businesses confirmed the gunshots and that additional suspects fled to the bar. Police said they were forced to obtain a search warrant for footage and credit card receipts from the bar and information found during the execution of that search warrant led to the identification of three more suspects.

A second warrant search of one of the suspect's Stoneham home resulted in the discovery of the gun police said was believed to be used in the shooting.

Christopher Sawyer, 39, of Stoneham, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and withholding of evidence during an investigation.

Christopher Sturgis, 36, of Beverly, was charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy and withholding of evidence during an investigation.

Sean Kelly, 28, of North Reading, was charged with obstruction of justice and withholding of evidence during an investigation.

Gordon Morrison, 23, of Ipswich, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.