Police officers who were patrolling the neighborhood heard the gunfire, but they were unable to locate the suspects.
Several reports of "shots fired" in Liberty Heights early Saturday morning sent Springfield police units scrambling to find the shooter, or shooters. No one was injured, but some neighborhood residents reportedly came in contact with the suspects, including a woman who claims men tried to steal her car before firing off some rounds.SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield Police Department was flooded with reports of "shots fired" in the Liberty Heights neighborhood early Saturday morning, when one or more men attempted to steal a woman's car at 89 Mooreland St., according to police reports.
An officer who responded to the call said the woman "scared off some guys trying to steal her car," and at least one of the men "fired off some rounds" while fleeing the area.
The 3:55 a.m. Mooreland Street report followed a slew of reports that began at 3:36 a.m. from residents of streets just south of Van Horn Park, including Leroy Place and Armory and Wait streets.
The series of back-to-back calls sent officers on a wild goose chase for the shooter, or shooters, who were not found but managed to cause some tense moments for police and neighborhood residents alike.
A caller from Leroy Place told police somebody was trying to get into her house. Minutes later, the Mooreland Street woman reported hearing her car alarm sound. When she went to investigate, she claimed her car door was open and gunshots were fired as men fled the area.
Officers who were on nearby Raymond Place at that time confirmed hearing gunfire.
"We definitely heard those shots from our position here on Raymond," an officer was heard saying over a police radio.
That officer said he heard nine or so shots that sounded like they came from a small-caliber weapon.
Springfield Police Capt. Cheryl C. Clapprood, who was reached by The Republican shortly after the Saturday morning gunfire, said no shell casings were recovered.
All of the streets that reported hearing the gunshots are located near or within a few blocks of each other.
No further information was available.
THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of where a Mooreland Street woman claims a man fired shots after trying to steal her car Saturday morning: