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Teen suffers life-threatening injuries in gang-related shooting

By Mark E. Vogler
mvogler@eagletribune.com
Published: June 28, 2009

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A local teenager suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound to the head early yesterday in what police are calling "a gang-related shooting."

Gabriel Gonzales, 18, of 44 Exeter St., third floor, was reported to be in grave condition last night at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was flown by medical helicopter from Lawrence General Hospital.

A friend who was with Gonzales told police they were walking from a nearby store to the victim's home shortly before 2:30 a.m. when a dark-colored Honda pulled up at the intersection of Grafton and Exeter streets and two men jumped out of the car and approached them, starting an argument.

"Shortly after this, one of the suspects tells the second suspect since they have the victim that he should pop him," Detective Carlos Cueva wrote in his report, recounting the witness's story.

"At this time, the suspect pulled out a handgun and began shooting. The witness stated that he heard about four to five shots and saw that the victim was now lying down bleeding," the detective wrote.

The friend then ran to get help at Gonzales' home and told his mother what had happened. He returned to the scene and stayed with Gonzales until police and an ambulance arrived.

State police crime scene investigators assigned to the district attorney's office and a state police chemist responded to the scene.

"It appears to be gang-related," Lawrence police Chief John Romero said yesterday. "We know the group he hangs out with has been in conflict with other groups. So at this point, given where we are today, we believe it's gang related."

Romero said the victim was "known to police," but declined to elaborate.

The chief was optimistic about making a quick arrest, saying, "We got some real good leads."

A Lawrence police auxiliary officer located a 1998 Mercury Villager van about 20 yards from the crime scene, with its hood still warm to the touch.

Police seized the stolen car and processed it for possible evidence because it "may be connected" to the shooting," Romero said.

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