From the Herald News: Fall River police investigate Winthrop Street shooting which always gives rise to the question of Christian witness in old, inner city ethnic neighborhoods whose demographics have changed.

I advocate for a continued presence because our history, our democratic Church, speaks to people of every background and is able to bring the message of Christ to every community. It is certainly difficult to concentrate on love driving out all fear (1 John 4:18) when bullets are whizzing by, but it is worth considering before we respond on instinct.

Police are looking for two suspects following a reported Wednesday morning shooting on Winthrop Street near Plymouth Avenue and towed a black BMW that reportedly belongs to one of the suspects.

Two witnesses told The Herald News they heard two initial shots. One man, who declined to be identified, said he fled for safety with his young son. The other witness said a young black male exited the BMW, fired another shot at a black Cadillac Escalade and jumped a wall through her yard.

From there, the second witness, whose identity The Herald News is protecting, said, —I could see the gun through his T-shirt.—

It was the fourth reported city shooting since July 24, including the fatal shooting of Charles Smith on July 27.

The initial call about 11:45 a.m. reported a shooting at 112 Winthrop St.

An hour later, police put out a call in search of a black male who may have been an unexplained shooting victim, according to radio dispatch accounts.

—I can confirm we are investigating a report of shots fired in that area. No reports have been completed,— police spokesman Sgt. Paul Gauvin said.

One of several police officers interviewing witnesses on the lower portion of Winthrop Street, near Blessed Trinity Parish National Catholic Church, said they were seeking —two suspects on foot.—…