LOWELL, Massachusetts — Authorities hunted Friday for a gunman who shot and wounded two police officers in two separate incidents in Manchester, where schools were shut.
A heavy police presence was visible in the working-class neighborhood, where authorities said the officers were wounded in shootings that began around 2 a.m. Friday.
Squad cars from the Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police were seen on every other block.
Both officers were being treated for injuries not considered life-threatening, Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas said at a news conference.
New Hampshire police, with assistance from officers from neighboring Massachusetts, sought the suspect, who was described as a white male with long hair and wearing a trench coat.
Michael Ayers, 20, who lives in an apartment building at intersection where the second shooting occurred, said he was awoken around 2:30 a.m. by the sound of gunshots and commotion.
“There were cops with flashlights firing rounds back and forth,” Ayers said. “It was very unsettling because three more rounds went off while I was looking out my window.”
A shelter-in-place order for residents on the city’s west side was lifted by midmorning, Manchester Police said. Schools remained closed for the day because of the police action.
“There’s an active pursuit for the shooter,” the mayor said.