Heavy police presence after 2 shot on Colby Avenue in Worcester; suspect fires at officers

 Heavy police presence after 2 shot on Colby Avenue in Worcester; suspect fires at officers

WORCESTER - Police have surrounded a house on Colby Avenue after a 21-year-old man shot two family members, according to authorities.

A short time after the shooting, the man shot at officers who were responding to the scene. The officers were not injured.

A significant police response followed.

The suspect remains in the house and the two victims - a male and a female - are being treated at a city hospital, police said.

A police tactical unit is involved. A police negotiator is on scene.

Since about 8:30 a.m. Friday, police have blocked off sections of the neighborhood. Residents of the area are being asked to remain inside.

At one point, residents of a house in the area were escorted to safety by police officers, some with guns drawn.

"The officers attempted to take that individual into custody and we believe that during that attempt to take him into custody fired rounds at the officers, thankfully not striking any of them. At that point he ran back in the house," said Murtha.

Hostage negotiators and a mental health clinician were brought to the scene as officers work to make contact with the suspected shooter.

"Basically attempting to slow things down and negotiate right now," Murtha said at approximately 11:40 a.m.

The neighborhood was closed to the public and police asked everyone to avoid the area. Murtha said Worcester's reverse 911 system was used to contact residents in the area.

Photographers at the scene saw the road was closed and Sky5 saw numerous armed officers in the area. At least two drones were also flying over the area.