Gloucester Police Arrest Man in Connection with Early Morning Shooting

For Immediate Release

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-865-4110

Gloucester Police Arrest Man in Connection with Early Morning Shooting

GLOUCESTER — Police Chief Leonard Campanello reports that the Gloucester Police Department arrested a man in connection with a shooting that occurred early this morning.

Police responded to the area of St. Peter’s Square on Rogers Street at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday for a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, police located a 29-year-old male who had been shot at least one time in the leg area. He was transported to Beverly Hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. His name is not being released.

A Gloucester Police Department investigation indicates that the victim works as a bouncer at a local bar/restaurant. The victim had kicked a man in his 50s out of the establishment late Friday evening, and the man had allegedly come back with a gun and shot the victim.

Police were given a partial plate for the suspect’s vehicle, and a description of a silver Mercades-Benz.

Gloucester Police notified area law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for such a vehicle.

A short time later, an Essex County Sheriff’s Deputy, working a snow removal detail, radioed that he was in pursuit of a vehicle that matched the description given over the radio.

Multiple Gloucester Police units responded, and the vehicle was quickly stopped.

The driver, JAMES HEWSON, AGE 57, OF BEVERLY, was arrested after the brief pursuit.

HEWSON was charged with:

• Armed Assault with Intent to Murder
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Firearm)
• Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building

HEWSON is being held on $500,000 bail pending his arraignment on Monday in Gloucester District Court.

State Troopers assigned to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett also responded to the scene.

“Well-established partnerships with our fellow law enforcement agencies, combined with a quick response and aggressive investigation by Gloucester Police officers resulted in the arrest of a dangerous felon this morning,” Chief Campanello said. “I would like to thank the Essex Sheriff’s Department for their deputy’s assistance this morning. This was a dangerous situation, handled professionally all around.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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