Wait, did that really just happen in Saugus? That was the vibe on social media after a Wednesday night in late September 2025 turned violent right in front of a popular ice cream shop. People in town are used to the heavy traffic and the occasionally aggressive drivers on Route 1, but a shooting in Saugus MA—especially over a rotary dispute—is definitely not on the typical Tuesday or Wednesday bingo card.
Honestly, it sounds like something out of a movie, but the details are way more grounded and, frankly, a bit more bizarre. You’ve got a 48-year-old man, a 32-year-old victim, and a confrontation that moved from the road to a parking lot and ended with a gunshot to the leg.
It wasn't a random act of gang violence or a robbery gone wrong. This was a road rage incident that spiraled out of control in Cliftondale Square, a spot usually known for families grabbing a cone at Banana Splitz, not for police tape and shell casings.
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The Night the Road Rage Boiled Over
Around 8:09 p.m. on September 24, 2025, Saugus police started getting frantic calls about a shooting on Lincoln Avenue. When they arrived, they didn't have to go on a manhunt. Both the shooter and the victim were still right there.
The shooter was identified as Stephen Cooper, a Saugus local. The victim, Mahomed Elorch from Melrose, was bleeding from a serious wound in his left leg. According to court documents and witness accounts, the whole thing started at the nearby rotary. Elorch told investigators he was driving home from work and wasn't super familiar with the area, which led to a near-miss with Cooper’s vehicle.
Then things got ugly.
During a heated exchange between car windows, Elorch claimed Cooper used racial slurs. Cooper’s defense team later denied this in court, but the prosecution is actually looking into potential civil rights violations because of those allegations. After the initial shouting match, Cooper pulled into the Banana Splitz parking lot. His lawyer later claimed he was just trying to "cool off" and get some ice cream because he's a regular there.
But Elorch followed him.
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A Finger Biting Altercation?
This is where the story gets weirdly physical before the gun even comes out. In the parking lot, the two men got into it again. Witnesses and police reports describe a messy scuffle. At one point, Cooper allegedly bit Elorch’s finger. Then, Elorch allegedly bit Cooper’s finger back.
It’s the kind of detail that makes you shake your head. Cooper’s attorney, Peter Lemire, argued in court that his client was punched "10 times in the face" and was acting in self-defense. But the prosecution says Cooper warned Elorch, "Don't come after me. I have a gun and I will shoot you," before pulling out a handgun and firing.
The shot hit Elorch in the leg. He managed to limp across the street toward a hair salon to wait for help.
The Legal Aftermath for Stephen Cooper
Even though Cooper had a valid license to carry (LTC) at the time, that doesn't mean you can just open fire during a fistfight. He was arraigned in Lynn District Court the following morning facing a laundry list of charges:
- Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury
- Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building
- Disorderly conduct
- Two counts of simple assault and battery
Judge Amanda Ward set his bail at $50,000. He had to hand over his guns and his license to carry was immediately flagged for suspension. It’s a stark reminder that having a permit doesn't give you a "get out of jail free" card when emotions take the wheel.
Is Saugus Getting Less Safe?
When a shooting in Saugus MA hits the headlines, people naturally start wondering if the town is changing. If you look at the data from 2024 and 2025, Saugus actually remains a relatively safe suburb compared to its more urban neighbors like Lynn or Revere.
However, residents aren't imagining things when they say the "vibe" feels tenser. In the last year, there have been a few high-profile incidents that have people on edge:
- A massive brawl at a youth football game in October 2024 that forced the game to be canceled.
- An attack on a mother and son at the Square One Mall in November 2025.
- The road rage shooting in Cliftondale Square.
These aren't "organized crime" issues. They are "people losing their cool" issues. Local business owners, like Jennifer Falzarano of Vintage Hair Studio, have noted that the area around the rotary has become a hotspot for aggressive driving and short tempers.
What You Should Know About Public Safety Right Now
If you live in Saugus or commute through Route 1 and Lincoln Ave, the reality is that the biggest threat isn't a random mugging—it's the guy in the next lane. Road rage is a massive factor in local violence lately.
The Saugus Police Department has been more visible in the Cliftondale and Square One Mall areas following these incidents. Chief Michael Ricci’s department has been pushing for more community awareness, basically telling people: if someone cuts you off, just let it go. It's not worth a trip to Mass General or a 50k bail.
Actions You Can Take
If you find yourself in a confrontation on the road in Saugus:
- Don't follow them. As we saw in the Cliftondale shooting, following someone into a parking lot to "finish the argument" is usually the moment things turn criminal.
- Head to the station. If you feel followed, the Saugus Police Department is located at 27 Hamilton St. Don't go home; go there.
- Report the LTC. If you witness a firearm being used or brandished during a traffic dispute, report it immediately. Massachusetts has strict "Red Flag" laws and licensing authorities can pull a permit long before a trial even starts.
The September shooting was a wake-up call for a lot of people who thought "that doesn't happen here." It does happen, but usually, it's fueled by a few minutes of bad decisions rather than a trend of rising crime. Staying aware and keeping a level head in the rotary is, quite literally, your best defense.
Check the latest court dates for the Stephen Cooper case via the Essex County District Attorney’s office if you're following the legal progression of the shooting in Saugus MA.