Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan discusses the shooting that took place at the Holyoke Mall during a press conference on July 25.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and Police Chief Brian Keenan hosted a press conference at the Holyoke Police Department on July 25 to provide details of a shooting incident at the Holyoke Mall.
Keenan gave a detailed timeline of the shooting. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on July 25, mall security observed the suspect shoplifting. The security officer contacted two Holyoke police officers who were working a paid detail at the mall.
When the officers approached the suspect by the entrance to Round One, the suspect produced a firearm which caused the officers and suspect to exchange gunfire.
The officers were not struck, and the suspect was shot in the leg. Keenan said the officer immediately provided first aid and the suspect was transported to a local hospital with “non-life threatening injuries.”
Holyoke police officers recovered the firearm on the scene from the suspect.
Keenan said the incident is an ongoing investigation by the Holyoke Police Detective Bureau and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
Due to the suspects age and since the shooting is an ongoing investigation, Keenan was unable to answer any questions at the press conference and said more information will be coming at a later date.
Keenan assured the public that the Holyoke Mall is still a safe place to visit although this was the second shooting that took place there in the past three years.
He stated, “I do want to make it clear while this incident can cause fear, the Holyoke Mall is a very safe place to shop and visit. We have officers that deal with these incidents like this, and the public is safe.”
No innocent bystanders were injured and there were no fatalities. Garcia assured the public that the incident was not a random act of violence and that visitors to the mall are safe. He also mentioned that although unfortunate, Holyoke police officers and other public safety members are trained for moments like this.
“This was not a random active shooting situation, therefore, I want to sure the public that you are safe when you are visiting the Holyoke Mall,” Garcia said.
Keenan thanked the Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee police departments and the Massachusetts State Police Uniform Division for providing crowd control and perimeter control during the investigation.
Garcia also acknowledged the help of local and state officials.
“Law enforcement community came together during this unfortunate incident. We will keep the public safe, the mall is safe,” Keenan stated.
The mall was temporarily evacuated due to someone pulling the fire alarm simultaneously with the shooting, but reopened with normal hours the following day with an increased police presence.
Garcia emphasized the importance of quick communication during such incidents.
He said, “I recognize the Holyoke Mall is a regional traction and major employer with people throughout the commonwealth either visiting or working there at the Holyoke Mall every single day. Therefore, it’s very important to me, extremely important when incidents like this happen, that we communicate as much as we can quickly so that people know or have some peace of mind of the status of people’s safety.”
On July 29, Gulluni’s office announced the suspect was placed under arrest, and was arraigned virtually on Monday, July 28, in Springfield Juvenile Court.
At arraignment, the juvenile was held without right to bail based on a dangerousness detainer. Probable cause was found, and a full hearing on dangerousness was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4, after Reminder Publishing’s print deadline.
Additionally, the judge ordered bail set at $100,000 cash, without prejudice. The Hampden District Attorney’s Office intends to seek a youthful offender indictment as the investigation continues.
“This harrowing situation could have ended much worse. Juveniles and guns is a recipe for disaster,” said Gulluni, “The juvenile’s alleged behavior is appalling and we will seek accountability to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful that no innocent people or officers were injured.”
The incident remains under investigation.
