Two shootings in Chelsea

A pair of shootings occurring within two days in Chelsea resulted in one teenager in critical condition, one man injured and one man arrested by police. The first shooting led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Chelsea resident on multiple charges. After an altercation escalated on the street Monday evening, Hector Vargas-Garcia, 26, of Chelsea was charged with Assault with Intent to Murder and Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm. Chelsea Police responded to a shooting report in front of 129 Marlboro St. at 11:50 p.m. A 44 year old Chelsea resident with a gunshot wound to the abdomen met officers in the street. Both the injured man and eyewitnesses directed police to 123 Marlboro St., where officers spotted the suspect entering a third floor rear apartment. Vargas-Garcia was apprehended without resistance when officers entered the unit. The firearm suspected in the shooting was also recovered by officers. According to witness accounts, Garcia engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim on the street before drawing a firearm and discharging a single round that wounded him. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, underwent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and is in stable condition. Vargas-Garcia appeared in Chelsea District Court facing multiple charges and was held on $50,000 bail. The second incident involved a 17-year-old-male from Chelsea shot Tuesday afternoon. A single gunshot wound to the head left the teen in critical condition, with Chelsea Police and Massachusetts State Police Detectives investigating. Multiple calls came in regarding the shooting near 71 Essex St. at 4:16 p.m. Officers discovered the unconscious male victim in a nearby driveway. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where his condition is listed as critical. Eyewitnesses described unknown males arriving in an older grey model Honda and firing multiple rounds at the victim and a group of youth before the group scattered. The investigation is ongoing with Chelsea and State Police Detectives working with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Chelsea residents can provide anonymous tips to police by calling 617-466-4880 on the 24 hr Crime Stoppers TIP line, texting the word Chelsea followed by their message to tip411 (847411) from a cell phone, or submitting anonymous tips through the Police Department website at www.chelseapolice.com