NORTHAMPTON — A 32-year-old man was arraigned on a murder charge Thursday in Northampton District Court in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in the city the previous night.
Steven J. Malloy, who authorities said is homeless, pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without the right to bail by Northampton District Court Judge John McKenna.
The shooting marks the first homicide in Hampshire County in 2021. Authorities did not release the identity of the shooting victim as of Thursday afternoon.
According to the Northwestern district attorney’s office, police were called to an apartment at Randolph Place shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday by a bystander, where they discovered a 39-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The man was transported to Baystate Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Police were seen investigating Thursday morning at 2 Randolph Place, which is off Pleasant Street downtown.
Malloy was not at the apartment when police arrived Wednesday night, though witnesses identified him as having fled from the area, according to the DA’s office. He was arrested in the vicinity of West Street following a short search.
Malloy was represented in court on Thursday by defense attorney Nicholas J. Horgan. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas represented the commonwealth at the arraignment.
Malloy’s next court date is Jan. 20.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.