House, cars hit by gunfire in Worcester neighborhood, 2 busted

  • WORCESTER — 2 men were arrested Sunday morning after a ShotSpotter activation and reports of gunfire in the Birch Street area of Worcester, according to a release from the Worcester Police Department.

    Authorities identified the suspects as Nakia Lane, 48, of Ward Street, and Joshua Arce, 34, of Elliott Street. They were detained after an officer on the way to Birch Street for a damaged property report spotted a vehicle associated with the shooting. The officer followed the vehicle and, after calling for backup, initiated a traffic stop on Shirley Street.

    Officers found a loaded handgun. Neither occupant had a license to carry firearms.

    The gunfire was reported around 3:40 a.m. Sunday, June 11th, and officers on the scene found 4 vehicles and 1 home that had been struck. No injuries were reported. The follow-up investigation led to an internal police email detailing a suspect vehicle, which the officer recognized later that morning.

    Lane faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and armed career criminal. Arce is also charged with carrying a firearm without a license.

    Both suspects are due to be arraigned in court.

    The investigation into the Birch Street shooting continues. Authorities encourage anyone with information about the incident to send an anonymous text to 274637 with "TIPWPD" followed by their message. Alternatively, anonymous messages can be sent through the Worcester Police Department's website at worcesterma.gov/police. The Worcester Police Detective Bureau can be reached at (508) 799-8651.

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