BEVERLY, MA — Ongoing Standoff Prompts Major Police Response; SWAT Deployed to Garden City Area
May 20, 2025 | Beverly, Massachusetts — A major law enforcement operation is currently unfolding in Beverly, Massachusetts, where a heavy police presence, including SWAT units, is responding to an active standoff situation in the Garden City area near Rantoul Street. The situation has prompted an urgent and visible mobilization of local, regional, and state police resources, though full details on the cause and nature of the incident remain under investigation.
At the heart of the operation is the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), whose SWAT unit has been deployed to the scene. Armored vehicles, K9 units, tactical teams, and aerial surveillance support have also been observed entering the city as part of the high-stakes response effort.
Residents near the area have been urged to remain indoors and avoid the vicinity of Rantoul Street, which houses several densely populated apartment complexes and multi-family residences. The area has been cordoned off, and traffic is being redirected as emergency vehicles and tactical teams continue their deployment.
Nature of the Standoff Still Unclear
As of Tuesday morning, authorities have not released specific details regarding the individuals involved in the standoff, nor have they confirmed whether any weapons are present or if anyone is barricaded inside a building. Police have also not stated whether there are any hostages or injuries.
Despite ongoing speculation, officials have firmly stated that this incident is not connected to the earlier vehicle pursuit and search for suspects in Danvers and other areas on the North Shore. That separate event, which began in Saugus, resulted in multiple suspects fleeing on foot and has led to a large-scale manhunt across several towns. The two incidents are unfolding concurrently, but law enforcement emphasizes they are unrelated in scope and origin.
Earlier Pursuit: North Shore Search for Three Suspects
Earlier on Tuesday, a separate incident gripped neighboring communities as authorities from Danvers, with support from the Massachusetts State Police, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, K9 teams, and aerial surveillance, initiated a search for three individuals who fled from a vehicle following a police chase.
According to police, the pursuit began in Saugus and led to the suspects exiting the vehicle in the vicinity of Mello Parkway. The suspects remain at large as of the latest update and are described as:
- Black male, wearing a white shirt
- White male with dreadlocks, dressed in all black
- Female (race unknown), wearing all black with a pink backpack
Authorities stress that these individuals are not suspects in a homicide but are wanted for questioning in connection to a separate incident that occurred in Lynn. The details of that incident have not been made public, though law enforcement continues to canvass the area with aerial drones and ground search teams.
Heightened Public Tension and Police Presence
The presence of multiple active police incidents across the North Shore has led to heightened tension among residents, particularly in Beverly, where armored vehicles, tactical gear, and helicopters have stirred unease.
Some local schools have issued precautionary notices or placed buildings on soft lockdowns. Businesses near the Garden City area have been temporarily closed or locked down as a safety precaution.
Witnesses near the standoff area report hearing authorities issuing commands via loudspeaker and observing snipers positioned around nearby buildings. These reports, however, have not been officially confirmed by law enforcement.
Community Guidance and Response
The Beverly Police Department has urged residents in the affected area to stay inside, lock their doors, and refrain from posting real-time tactical information on social media that could compromise officer safety. Updates are being posted periodically through official channels, including the department’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
“We understand the fear and confusion that situations like this create,” said a Beverly Police spokesperson. “We ask the public to remain patient, stay informed through official updates, and avoid speculation as we work to bring this situation to a safe resolution.”
Awaiting Further Information
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection to the standoff, and authorities have not released any information about the individuals believed to be involved. It’s also unclear how long the standoff may last or what initially prompted the police response to the location.
Law enforcement officials are expected to hold a press briefing later today to provide more detailed information once the situation stabilizes.
What You Need to Know:
- A standoff is unfolding near Rantoul Street in Beverly, MA, with SWAT and armored vehicles on-site.
- The situation is not related to a separate multi-town search for suspects that began earlier in Saugus and Danvers.
- Three individuals are being sought in the Danvers incident: a Black male in a white shirt, a White male with dreadlocks in all black, and a female in all black with a pink backpack.
- Authorities have not released details on whether the Beverly standoff involves weapons, hostages, or injuries.
- Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid the area until further notice.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available from law enforcement and local officials.