Pittsfield Police Make Firearm Arrest

04:06PM / Monday, July 28, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Police arrested resident Zyir Rasheed who was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun without a license to carry.

According to a statement from the Pittsfield Police Department, on Monday, July 28 2025 around 1:00 am, police department patrol officers were dispatched to the intersection of North Street and Melville Street for a report of a man with a firearm.

Responding officers searched that area and discovered a man, later identified as 25-year-old Pittsfield resident Zyir Rasheed, involved in an argument at Cumberland Farms on First Street. The Cumberland Farms is a short distance from the initial call for service, and police reported that Rasheed matched the description of the suspect.

According to police, Rasheed ignored commands given to him by present officers and attempted to flee. Officers reported that Rasheed was in possession of a loaded handgun with a round in the chamber. Rasheed does not possess a Massachusetts License to Carry

Firearms. He was charged with a number of criminal offenses, including Carrying a Firearm without a License (Subsequent Offense), Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and being an Armed Career Criminal.

He was expected to be arraigned at some point Monday.

Tags: guns,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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