4 Charged After Shots Fired Following Disturbance at Beverly Bar

On Dec. 6, 2022, Beverly Police received multiple calls and responded to the area of the Pickled Onion Bar, 355 Rantoul St., for a disturbance and possible multiple gunshots. Upon arrival police were able to locate a person involved in the reported disturbance a short distance away based on citizens reporting his location. This individual, Gordon Morrison, was arrested and reported that during the confrontation which had taken place on West Dane St. near Rantoul St. that someone had fired a gun at him. This incident was further investigated by Officer Justin Mars, with assistance by the Criminal Investigations Division. Local business security cameras in the immediate area were reviewed. Camera footage confirmed the suspect’s claim someone had fired a gun in his direction. The suspects involved in the shooting fled to the Pickled Onion.

The manager of the Pickled Onion, Sean Kelly, refused to fully cooperate with the investigation, and a search warrant had to be obtained to review camera footage from within the Pickled Onion along with customer credit card receipts in hopes of identifying those involved in the shooting. Suspects were identified as a result of executing this search warrant. A second search warrant was obtained for the alleged shooter’s residence in Stoneham to recover the firearm used in this crime with the assistance of Stoneham Police. As a result of the investigation the following were charged as a result of this incident:

CHRISTOPHER SAWYER, AGE 39, OF STONEHAM, was charged with:

  • Assault With a Dangerous Weapon (Firearm)
  • Discharge of a Firearm Within 500 Feet of a Building
  • Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
  • Obstruction of Justice – Hindering a Police Officer During an Investigation
  • Conspiracy (Obstruction of Justice)
  • Withholding Evidence in a Criminal Proceeding

CHRISTOPHER STURGIS, AGE 36, OF BEVERLY, was charged with:

  • Obstruction of Justice – Hindering a Police Officer During an Investigation
  • Conspiracy (Obstruction of Justice)
  • Withholding Evidence in a Criminal Proceeding

SEAN KELLY, AGE 28, OF NORTH READING, was charged with:

  • Obstruction of Justice – Hindering a Police Officer During an Investigation
  • Conspiracy (Obstruction of Justice)

GORDON MORRISON, AGE 23, OF IPSWICH, was charged with:

  • Assault With a Dangerous Weapon (Incendiary Device)