Large police presence after report of shots fired at Mass. shopping center

A large police presence is underway at a shopping plaza in Berlin, Massachusetts, after officers responded to a reported assault, the town’s police department said. At 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, while police were responding to the Highland Commons Shopping Plaza parking lot, they heard that shots were also possibly fired at the scene. Police are focused on the right side of the parking lot, in front of the FitFactory Gym. Witnesses tell NewsCenter 5 that someone was shot in front of the gym. Berlin police and Massachusetts State Police troopers are working to investigate the scene. Access to the area of Highland Commons remains closed at this time and police have asked the public to avoid the area as an investigation is carried out. It is unclear if the Berlin scene is connected to an hours-long standoff happening on I-495 in Lowell.Most of the stores in the plaza, including FitFactory Gym, remain open as the investigation continues.NewsCenter 5 will continue to provide updates as we learn more information.

BERLIN, Mass. —

A large police presence is underway at a shopping plaza in Berlin, Massachusetts, after officers responded to a reported assault, the town’s police department said.

At 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, while police were responding to the Highland Commons Shopping Plaza parking lot, they heard that shots were also possibly fired at the scene.

Police are focused on the right side of the parking lot, in front of the FitFactory Gym.

Witnesses tell NewsCenter 5 that someone was shot in front of the gym.

Berlin police and Massachusetts State Police troopers are working to investigate the scene.

Access to the area of Highland Commons remains closed at this time and police have asked the public to avoid the area as an investigation is carried out.

It is unclear if the Berlin scene is connected to an hours-long standoff happening on I-495 in Lowell.

Most of the stores in the plaza, including FitFactory Gym, remain open as the investigation continues.

NewsCenter 5 will continue to provide updates as we learn more information.