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Gangs 'not lost on us,' Lawrence police say amid curfew enforcement

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A series of shootings that left three men injured and one dead Monday night have Lawrence police enforcing a city curfew ordinance and talking tough on gangs and drugs.

In a news conference Tuesday, Lawrence Police Capt. Roy Vasque addressed the curfew and explained the shootings were likely targeted.

“Late in the evening of Oct. 23, police investigated two shootings in the city,” Lawrence Police Captain Roy Vasque explained Tuesday afternoon. “These individuals were targeted for specific reasons that will come out."

MORE: Lawrence police announce curfew after car crash, shooting at local park

The victims of a shooting at Howard Park were identified as two 35-year-old men from Lowell and one 18-year-old male from Lawrence. They are all recovering at a hospital in the area.

In a later, shooting a 26-year-old man from Lawrence was killed while driving on South Union Street.

The shootings are not believed to be related.

“It’s important to note that violent crime … is a direct result of the opiate crisis across the nation,"  Vasque noted.

People will not be allowed to gather at schools or other public facilities around town, like parks, after sundown, unless they are involved in a pre-planned and approved activity. Police noted this is already a city ordinance.

Vasque explained the extent of police activity in relation to the ordinance would be to ensure groups weren't meeting in parks or other public places to engage in 'illicit activity.'

When asked about gang activity in the city, he said it was something police have been targeting.

“We are definitely active with our state and federal powers investigating gang activity,” Vasque said. “Certainly, it’s not lost on us.”

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