Gunfire incidents are getting an early start in 2019, with police investigating shots fired Wednesday at Cambridge and Columbia streets in Wellington-Harrington at approximately 3:05 a.m.

Last year, the first gunfire incident waited until 6 p.m. Jan. 31, taking place at Cherry and School streets in The Port. That’s more than a week later than this year’s first shots fired.

There were 22 gunfire incidents for all of last year, according to preliminary data from police, with the majority being early morning incidents taking place in The Port with no known victim. Five shootings had a victim. The incidents added to a 3 percent rise in crime citywide from 2017; but that year saw crime in Cambridge at its lowest level since 1960, police said.

One shooting in which there were a victim – a May 30 incident that saw a gas station clerk shot in the foot when he protested a man stealing a bottle of water – took place within a block of Wednesday’s shooting. A Dorchester resident reported hearing multiple gunshots Wednesday while parked in that gas station parking lot, police said.

Jeremy Warnick, director of communications and media relations for Cambridge police, had more details:

Police identified and spoke to other nearby individuals after the reported gunshots, but were not able to initially locate any shell casings after canvassing the area. There were no reported calls or further descriptions of possible involved parties, and no known injuries or victims.

Officers re-canvassed later in the morning and found two shell casings at the scene, Warnick said.

People with information about the incident are asked to call Cambridge Police at (617) 349-3300. Anonymous reports can be left at (617) 349-3359; sent by text message to 847411 (begin your text with TIP650, then type your message); or by email by visiting CambridgePolice.org/Tips.

Before Wednesday, the most recent gunfire incident had been Dec. 3, again in The Port neighborhood.

Councillor E. Denise Simmons has scheduled the year’s first Safe Streets, Safe City meeting for 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Pisani Center, 131 Washington St., The Port.