Pittsfield 'Targeted' Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Injured

09:22AM / Friday, June 19, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 29-year-old Pittsfield man is dead and another is injured following what authorities believe was a targeted shooting Thursday night near the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street.

According to police, on Thursday at approximately 8:09 p.m., multiple officers responded to an area at the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street for a reported shooting.

Dispatch was alerted by both a multiple-round ShotSpotter activation as well as 911 callers. Responding officers located two men who had sustained gunshot wounds and both were transported to Berkshire Medical Center by ambulance.

One victim, a 38-year-old Pittsfield resident, was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and was later released. The second shooting victim, the 29-year-old, died from his injuries at BMC despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff.

This incident is currently under investigation by members of the Pittsfield Police Department in conjunction with personnel from the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and other assisting agencies.

At this time investigators believe that the shooting was a targeted act.

Anyone who wishes to report information is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)

Tags: homicide, murder, shooting,

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

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