New Bedford Police investigate shots fired near Rite-Aid Pharmacy early Sunday

Police are investigating after a passenger in a vehicle wearing a mask apparently fired a handgun in the direction of the Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 2170 Acushnet Ave. early Sunday.

Two residents in the area at the time reported that they saw a gray or green Jeep Laredo with four occupants at the traffic light at Tarkiln Hill Road and Acushnet Avenue.

They said they saw a person in the rear passenger seat wearing what appeared to be a white plastic child’s mask stick a black handgun out the window. The person appeared to be aiming for bushes outside the pharmacy when the passersby heard a popping sound.

The front door window was shattered by what appeared to be a bullet hole. Police found a spent cartridge on the floor of the pharmacy. The caliber was not immediately determined.

The incident was reported at 2:26 a.m.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police headquarters at 508-991-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463. Tips can also be emailed to tip@newbedfordpd.com.