Shots Fired Near Chelmsford Town Hall, 1 Arrested

CHELMSFORD, MA — A Quincy man was arrested and charged with armed assault with intent to murder in connection with firing a gun near town hall after an argument about a car escalated Monday night, police said.

Police arrested Zachary A. Stewart, 18, and in addition to armed assault with intent to murder, authorities charged him with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm without a FID card, illegal possession of ammunition without a FID card, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and attempted assault and battery with a firearm.

Police said just after 7 p.m. someone called to report a fight between two men near Sinai Circle had escalated with one of the men shot at the other and then ran off.

When they got there, police found the man who had been shot at, unharmed. They then learned the two men had had an argument because Stewart had used the other man's car without permission, according to police.

Chelmsford police officer began a search for Stewart using their K-9 unit and the K-9 unit from the Lowell Police Department and units from the Massachusetts State Police. During the search, police found a discarded handgun, but no Stewart.

Police said late Monday evening, Quincy Police took Stewart into custody when he showed up at his grandparents' house there.

Police said they found a Commuter Rail ticket among his belongings, indicating he may have traveled by train from Lowell to Boston.

"This incident is a good example of multi-agency coordination and cooperation," Chief Spinney said. "By working together with our neighbors in Lowell and partners in Quincy, police were able to take an illegal firearm off the streets and locate a dangerous suspect."

Stewart set to be arraigned in Lowell District Court.