LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon have announced that Paul Garcia, 38 of Dover, New Hampshire, has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on July 20 in Lowell killing one person and injuring two others.
On Saturday July 20, 2024, at approximately 4:53 a.m., Lowell Police responded to the parking lot of the Swaminarayan Temple located on Middlesex Street relative to reports of shots fired. Lowell officers arrived on scene and observed approximately 30 people in the parking lot of the Temple. Multiple people directed the officers to two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel also responded and transported both victims to an area hospital. One of the victims, identified as Jose Ortiz, 43 of Lowell, was later pronounced dead. The other victim, a 34-year-old man, was treated and released. A third victim, a 26-year-old female, sustained minor injuries and transported herself to an area hospital where she was also treated and released.
The subsequent investigation revealed that, shortly before the shooting, two groups of people had gathered in the Temple parking lot and were reportedly drinking, partying and lighting off fireworks. A physical altercation occurred involving the victims and others who were in the parking lot. Moments after the altercation, Paul Garcia allegedly began shooting into the crowd of people killing Jose Ortiz and striking the two other victims before fleeing the scene.
Today, Paul Garcia was arrested without incident at a residence in Lawrence. He has been charged with armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. In addition to these charges he is also expected to be arraigned on one count of murder tomorrow in Lowell District Court.
This case is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Lowell Police and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Christopher Tarrant and Maren Schrader. The victim witness advocate is Anne Foley.