Pittsfield Police Arrest Three After Brierwood Lane Shooting
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield police arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy, and a 19-year-old man believed to be involved in the Brierwood Lane Shooting that left an 18-year-old seriously injured.
On Tuesday, April 26 at approximately 5:00 pm members of the Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) responded to Brierwood Lane in Pittsfield for a reported shooting.
Police reported that well over a dozen shell casings were discovered. The subsequent investigation revealed that an 18-year-old Pittsfield man had been shot multiple times and was seriously injured. He was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and treated for gunshot wounds that at the time were considered life-threatening. The victim survived and is still recovering from his injuries.
As a result of the ensuing investigation, PPD detectives applied for and received multiple arrest warrants for people who were involved in the shooting.
On Tuesday, May 10 members of the PPD Anti-Crime Unit placed a 16-year-old Pittsfield boy under arrest on an outstanding warrant related to the Brierwood shooting. At the time of his arrest, Police reported that the boy was found to be in possession of a loaded .32 caliber handgun.
In addition to the warrant, he was charged with additional firearm offenses based on the discovered weapon.
On Thursday, May 12 members of the PPD Anti-Crime Unit arrested 19-year-old Pittsfield resident Keyondre Taft on an outstanding warrant related to the Brierwood shooting.
On Monday May 16 members of the PPD Patrol Division arrested a 17-year-old boy, also a Pittsfield resident, on an outstanding warrant related to the Brierwood shooting.
Members of the PPD are actively pursuing additional suspects who are also believed
to have been involved in the incident.
In a press release the PPD stated that during a three-month span from Feb. 1 through April 30, there were eleven confirmed shooting events in the city. This does not include suspected gunfire or unfounded calls for service but rather confirmed shootings with recovered ballistic evidence.
The eleven shooting events have resulted in six victims; four injuries and two deaths by gunfire.
The PPD stated:
"It should be noted that this three-month window did not occur during what many consider the 'busy season' typical of warmer months. Some of these incidents were brazen daytime shootings occurring in broad daylight in residential neighborhoods.
Members of the Pittsfield Police Department will not tolerate indiscriminate gunfire in our city's neighborhoods. We will patrol, investigate, and charge those individuals who are responsible for inflicting violence in our neighborhoods. We can't, however, do it alone. We need the cooperation of the public. We would encourage witnesses of violence to provide information to the investigating officers. We would also hope that our citizens and community leaders take a strong stance against gun violence and condemn the possession and use of illegal firearms. Individuals involved in gun violence, many of them juveniles, need to know that these acts will not be tolerated by their community."
Residents with information on recent gun violence or the illegal possession of firearms are strongly encouraged by the PPD to contact the Pittsfield Police Department Detective Bureau at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
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