Worcester Police Respond to ShotSpotter Alert, Arrest Two in Connection with Boys & Girls Club Way Shooting

Two men face multiple firearm charges following Wednesday evening incident that left one person with non-life-threatening injuries

Worcester Police officers responded quickly to a ShotSpotter alert on Wednesday evening, September 25, 2025, leading to the arrest of two men and the recovery of firearms in what authorities are calling a successful example of community safety technology in action.

At approximately 5:40 PM, officers with the Worcester Police Department and the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit were dispatched to Boys & Girls Club Way after the city’s ShotSpotter system detected gunfire in the area. The technology, which uses acoustic sensors to identify and locate gunshots, has become an increasingly valuable tool for Worcester’s public safety efforts.

Evidence Points to Serious Incident

When officers arrived at the scene, they quickly located a firearm and additional evidence scattered in the area. The investigation revealed the serious nature of the incident—a bullet hole was discovered in the rear passenger-side door of a vehicle, while another bullet hole was found in the front window of a nearby apartment.

These findings underscore how close this incident came to potentially causing harm to innocent bystanders in what’s typically a busy area of the city. The fact that bullets struck both a vehicle and residential property highlights the dangerous and reckless nature of gun violence in our neighborhoods.

First Arrest: Foot Chase Ends in Custody

While responding officers were processing the initial scene, members of the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit spotted a male walking down Hammond Street. As officers approached the individual, later identified as twenty-two-year-old Willie Watson of Worcester, his behavior immediately raised red flags.

Watson began running toward Canterbury Street when he saw police approaching, fleeing through traffic while clutching his hands tightly to his waistband—a behavior pattern that experienced officers recognize as a strong indicator that someone may be carrying a concealed weapon.

The foot chase ended when officers caught up with Watson and placed him in handcuffs. Their suspicions proved correct when they discovered Watson was indeed carrying a firearm. The Crime Scene Unit was called to the location and confirmed that the weapon was loaded.

Further investigation revealed that Watson does not possess a license to carry firearms in Massachusetts, leading to a lengthy list of charges that reflect the severity of his alleged actions.

Willie Watson faces the following charges:

• Carrying a Firearm Without a License
• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm with a Feeding Device
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
• Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License
• Resisting Arrest
• Disorderly Conduct
• Disturbing the Peace

Second Arrest: Hospital Visit Leads to Connection

Shortly after Watson’s arrest, the investigation took another turn when twenty-year-old Chance Toney arrived at a local area hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound. While his injuries are not considered life-threatening, Toney’s arrival at the hospital raised immediate questions for investigators.

Further investigation revealed that Toney had been present at the scene of the shooting on Boys & Girls Club Way. Like Watson, Toney was also found to have been armed during the incident, and like Watson, he does not possess the required license to carry firearms.

Chance Toney has been charged with:

• Carrying a Firearm Without a License
• Possessing an Untraceable Firearm
• Outstanding Warrant

The fact that Toney was carrying an untraceable firearm—often referred to as a “ghost gun”—adds another concerning element to this case. These weapons, which lack serial numbers and are difficult to track, have become an increasing concern for law enforcement agencies across the country.

Community Safety Remains Priority

The Worcester Police Department wants to emphasize that no members of the public were injured during this incident—a fortunate outcome that could have been very different given the evidence found at the scene.

The quick response by officers and the effectiveness of the ShotSpotter technology likely prevented what could have been a much more serious situation. The system’s ability to pinpoint the location of gunfire and dispatch officers immediately has proven its value once again in keeping Worcester residents safe.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges our city faces with illegal firearms and gun violence. The presence of loaded weapons, including an untraceable firearm, in a residential area during evening hours represents exactly the kind of dangerous behavior that puts our entire community at risk.

Technology and Teamwork Make the Difference

The successful resolution of this incident highlights the importance of both technology and dedicated police work. The ShotSpotter system gave officers a crucial head start by immediately alerting them to the location of gunfire, while the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit’s training and experience allowed them to quickly identify suspicious behavior and make arrests.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, in particular, has become an essential part of Worcester’s strategy to combat gun violence. These specialized officers focus specifically on illegal firearms and the individuals who carry them, bringing expertise that proves invaluable in situations exactly like this one.

The coordination between responding patrol officers, the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, and the Crime Scene Unit demonstrates the kind of teamwork that makes effective police work possible. Each unit brought specific skills and knowledge that contributed to the successful outcome.

Investigation Continues

While two arrests have been made, the Worcester Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Crime Gun Intelligence Unit continue their investigation into this incident. Detectives are working to piece together the complete picture of what led to the shooting and whether additional charges or arrests may be forthcoming.

The investigation will likely focus on determining the relationship between Watson and Toney, understanding what sparked the incident, and ensuring that all evidence is properly collected and analyzed. The recovery of firearms and the processing of the crime scene will provide crucial information that investigators can use to build their case.

Community members who may have witnessed the incident or have additional information are encouraged to contact the Worcester Police Department. Even small details that might seem insignificant can sometimes provide the missing pieces that investigators need to fully understand what happened.

Moving Forward Together

This incident, while serious, also demonstrates that Worcester’s investment in public safety technology and specialized police units is paying dividends for our community. The quick response time, successful arrests, and recovery of dangerous weapons show that the city’s approach to combating gun violence is working.

However, it also serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our neighborhoods safe. The Boys & Girls Club Way area, like all parts of our city, deserves to be a place where families can live, work, and play without fear of gun violence.

The charges these two men face reflect the serious consequences that await those who choose to carry illegal firearms and engage in dangerous behavior in our city. Worcester has made it clear that gun violence will not be tolerated, and law enforcement will continue to use every tool at their disposal to protect our residents.

As this case moves through the court system, it will serve as another example of Worcester’s commitment to holding those who endanger our community accountable for their actions. The multiple charges both men face could result in significant penalties if they are convicted, sending a message that illegal firearms have no place in our city.

The Worcester Police Department continues to encourage residents to report suspicious activity and to work together to keep our neighborhoods safe. Community cooperation, combined with effective policing and technology like ShotSpotter, represents our best defense against gun violence.

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Have news, tips, or a story Worcester needs to hear? Reach Editor-in-Chief Jerry Filmore at jfilmore@whatsupworcester.com or press@whatsupworcester.com (because community news starts with you.)

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