Shooter Still at Large in Essex Street Shooting Monday

The incident began early Monday with a suspect fleeing a shooting on Essex Street in Lynn just over the Swampscott line.

The pursuit and search wound down hours later with a helicopter sweeping Salem.

In between, Swampscott police gave chase, with Sgt. Jay Locke pulling over the suspect's vehicle on Paradise Road — and its driver hitting the gas, said Swampscott police.

Earlier, just after midnight, Swampscott police got a be-on-the-lookout report for a silver SUV wanted in connection with the shooting that just happened on Essex Street in Lynn, said Swampscott police Lt. Bill Waters.

Swampscott police officers Caruso and Hennessey saw a silver SUV on New Ocean Street entering Swampscott. They turned around but Sgt. Jay Locke had the vehicle in his sights on Paradise Road near Walker Road.

Sgt Locke turned on his blue lights and the silver SUV began to slow to a stop by Vinnin Square, the entrance area to Eastern Bank, police said.  

Before the sergeant put his cruiser into park the suspect accelerated. Locke pursued the vehicle over Paradise Road into Salem. Speeds exceeded 75 mph, police said.  

The SUV passed Salem University, where the Swampscott sergeant lost sight of it.  

Officers searched the area before Sgt. Locke found the SUV on Auburn Road in Salem. No one was inside it.  

Swampscott officers, Salem police, Lynn police gang unit officers as well as Mass state police K9 units and air wing support searched for the suspect.

Salem residents heard a helicopter early Monday, about 3:30 a.m., according to Salem Patch.

The suspect remains at large, said Swampscott police. The case remains under investigation by Lynn Police who are pursuing leads to identify the shooter, police said.

The victim's condition was unavailable.

This is the second shooting in recent weeks by the Swampscott town line.

Early April 30, Swampscott police assisted Lynn police at the scene of a shooting at 56 Hillside Ave. in Lynn. Reportedly an assault weapon was used and 21 shell casings were found at the scene.