Pittsfield Community Mourns Death of Taconic Student
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school district and city are mourning the loss of a 17-year-old Taconic High School student who was found fatally shot on Sunday.
It has been widely reported that the victim was Brodie Slonski, 17, who was in Taconic's metal fabrication program. The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office has not identified the victim, saying it was because he was a juvenile.
Crisis counselors were available in the school to provide support for students and staff.
"We are heartbroken by the recent loss of one of our students and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all who are grieving. We know this loss deeply affects many in our schools and throughout the community," a statement from the Pittsfield Public Schools reads.
"Counselors and staff are available across all of our schools to provide care and resources for students and staff who may need additional support."
On Monday, Principal Matthew Bishop wrote to the Taconic community to inform them that a student had died the previous night.
"It's with great sadness that I share that one of our Taconic High School students passed away last night. In order to respect the student's family and protect their privacy, we are not releasing any further information at this time," he wrote.
"This loss deeply impacts our Taconic community. Our crisis response team is providing counseling and support for students and staff, and these services will continue to be available. We encourage families to talk with their children about this loss — your comfort and reassurance mean a great deal. Keeping regular routines can also help provide stability during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or your child needs any additional support."
The investigation remains active, and the DA's office said more information will be provided when it becomes available.
Police said they responded to 17 Parker St. around 6:14 p.m. on Sunday for the report of a single vehicle collision. They found a white Honda HR-V with the steering wheel and side curtain airbags deployed, the hood bent inward, and debris scattered around it.
The victim was behind the wheel and unresponsive, with blood visible on and around him, according to the DA's Office. He was found to have a gunshot wound to the chest when firefighters removed him from the vehicle.
The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center by Action Ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead. Police say the Honda appeared to have been traveling on Franco Terrace toward the Parker Street intersection. No other individuals were present inside the car.
During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Peter Murkett, of Monterey, said, "Another shooting in Pittsfield, another young person gone."
He is a part of a small group of people screening the film "Hear Me" around the county, a documentary film featuring seven young people from the Berkshires who have been impacted by gun violence.
Murkett urged the city to take action on gun violence prevention programs.
"It's a very powerful film, it makes a person want to know, what can we do? And it also points the way towards things that we can do," he said.
"Programs for gun violence protection have demonstrated that they work to reduce gun violence in cities around the United States: Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Boston, Springfield, Holyoke, Hartford. What are we waiting for?"
In 2023, the School Committee voted to adopt a safe firearm storage resolution as an effort to shield its students and staff from gun violence.
The resolution warranted communications to parents, guardians, and students on the importance of secure firearm storage as soon as possible, distributed to each school at least once annually, and included in the district website and student registration materials.
Additionally, it directed the superintendent to update the student handbooks with this information to continue work with local law enforcement, health agencies, and nonprofit organizations on the effort.
Tags: fatal, gun violence, Taconic High,
