Man Injured in Shooting on Chestnut Street in Lowell, Authorities Confirm No Threat to Public – Police Call for Witnesses

What began as a typical Saturday morning in Lowell was abruptly interrupted by the sound of gunfire just before noon. On April 18, 2026, a shooting occurred on Chestnut Street, a busy corridor in the city’s downtown-adjacent neighborhood, leaving one man injured. Authorities quickly assured the public that the incident appeared to be isolated, with no ongoing threat to the community’s safety.

The shooting took place at approximately 11:30 a.m., and multiple 911 calls flooded the dispatch center, reporting “pops that sounded like fireworks” followed by a man shouting for help. Police arrived swiftly at the scene, finding a male victim lying on the sidewalk outside a mixed-use building near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Merrimack Street. The victim, whose identity has not been released pending family notification, was conscious and breathing when emergency responders arrived. Trauma care was administered, and the victim was airlifted to Boston Medical Center for further treatment. Authorities later confirmed his injuries were serious but non-life-threatening, and he was expected to make a full recovery.

Investigators believe this was an isolated incident, potentially linked to a specific dispute, and not a random act of violence. The Lowell Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) has taken the lead in the investigation, focusing on witness interviews, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence from the scene. Detectives have recovered at least two shell casings and are reviewing video footage from both public cameras and private businesses nearby to piece together the sequence of events.

Witnesses reported hearing raised voices before the shots rang out, followed by a man running away from the scene. One witness described seeing a dark sedan speeding away after the gunfire, though police have not confirmed whether a vehicle was involved. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives asking for the public’s help in providing any information, no matter how minor it may seem.

Community members have expressed both relief and unease, with some noting the rarity of such incidents in Lowell. Despite the lack of fatalities, the incident has left a mark on the neighborhood, and many residents are eager for answers as the investigation continues.