For Immediate Release: 5/15/2024 5:58 pm
On May 14th 2024 at about 9 PM, Worcester Police officers assigned to the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit were on patrol in the area of Reservoir St following up on a previous ShotSpotter activation. They were with a Gang Unit officer and two ATF agents. Officers observed two males on foot who matched the description given of the suspects involved in the previous shots fired call, which had occurred at almost the exact location of the officers.
Officers approached the two males and spoke to them. One of them, nineteen-year-old Christopher Vazquez, was wearing a fanny pack on his right side, and checked this area when he saw the police car. Based on the location and the behavior of Mr. Vazquez, officers palpated the exterior of his fanny pack and felt what appeared to be a handgun. Officers detained Mr. Vazquez and confirmed that the fanny pack contained what appeared to be a loaded handgun. Officers also recovered what appeared to be a loaded handgun from the other male, who was seventeen-years-old.
Neither male had a license to carry firearms, and both were placed under arrest. Mr. Vazquez and the seventeen-year-old are both charged with Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License, Carrying a Firearm without a License, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card. Mr. Vazquez is additionally charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device.
