BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police in Bethlehem and Lower Saucon townships are investigating a report of shots fired along the D&L Trail on Saturday.

Bethlehem Township police say they received a call just before 5:00 p.m., kayakers in the water reported being shot at by a shooter on the Lower Saucon side of the river. 

The victims evacuated the river onto the banks of the Bethlehem Township side, near Wilson Avenue, according to police. 

Two other callers also reported hearing gunshots, and Lower Saucon Police found shell casings around the area.

No one is in custody, township police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Bethlehem Township limited access to the D&L Trail and two Wilson Avenue trailheads on Saturday, authorities said. 

Police say the trail was closed from the time they arrived on scene around 4:56 p.m. to nightfall. Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company assisted with the closure. 

“Many people use this trail on a daily basis,” said Ed, a 30-year Bethlehem Township resident. “It’s very scary.”

Ed was getting ready for a stroll.

“This is Charlie,” Ed said referencing his one-year-old Rottweiler. “Sit,” he said.

“You said you walk here a lot?” asked 69 News reporter Cierra Genelle.

“Just about every day,” said Ed.

He said he also walked Charlie on Saturday night, roughly an hour before kayakers were allegedly targeted by gunfire in the river.

“I did see kayakers. A bunch of them came down as a group,” Ed said. “I hope they weren’t actually targeting the kayakers, and maybe just shooting in the woods, I don’t know.”

Residents said sometimes they hear gunfire in the area from a nearby shooting range, but an incident this close to a heavily traveled trail with lots of walkers, bikers, and dogs has people shaken.

“It is unsettling,” said Colleen Heimbach, a 35-year resident of Bethlehem Township.

Heimbach was walking her dog Lizzy, a six-month-old corgi.

This is not going to change any plans for their daily strolls, but Heimbach said she’ll keep her head on a swivel.

“I would come back. If I am alone, my eyes are up, I’m looking. I’m always careful” said Heimbach. “You know, keep your eyes up.”

Anyone with any information is requested to call the non-emergency line for Northampton County – 610.759.2200 – and report what they saw.