HOLYOKE — A day after a pregnant woman riding on a bus through downtown was hit by stray gunfire and critically injured Wednesday while her baby later died, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and Police Chief David Pratt announced the city would take steps to address violence, including the creation of a new criminal task force.
“The dreams of a couple died along with their baby,” said Garcia, who appeared emotional and visibly shaken during a press conference on Thursday. “I want members of our public to please don’t lose faith…keep Holyoke the city in which that beautiful lost baby would have grown strong to love and be proud of.”
Meantime, five members of the City Council on Thursday sent a letter to Garcia and Pratt calling for a more visible police presence in the area of High, Maple and Main streets downtown.
“As you are already aware … there have been numerous requests from both residents and business owners in the area for increased police presence — primarily due in part to the recent increase in criminal activities, including thefts, vandalism, and drug-related incidents,” the councilors wrote. “These incidents not only pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our community members but also have a negative impact on the local economy and the overall quality of life in our city.”
The letter, signed by at-large councilors Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Israel Rivera and Jose Maldonado Velez, and by Ward 1’s Jenny Rivera and Ward 4’s Kocayne Givner, specifically requests police foot patrol presence.
“While we don’t believe it will solve everything, the visibility of police officers patrolling the area will not only deter potential violent activity but also provide reassurance to the residents and businesses that their safety is a top priority,” they wrote.
Police responded to Wednesday’s shooting at the corner of Sargeant and Maple streets at 12:38 p.m. and said it appeared three male suspects were involved in an altercation before gunshots were fired.
Several people were injured in the shooting, including the pregnant woman riding on a bus.
“The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away,” the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Authorities said all the suspects had been taken to hospital and were in custody. The woman shot in the incident remains in critical condition.
The DA’s office said Alejandro Ramos, 22, of Holyoke, was arraigned in Holyoke District Court Thursday on a charge of murder. He is being held without the right to bail, and will next appear in court on Nov. 3, the DA’s office said.
Johnluis Sanchez, 30, of Holyoke, remains hospitalized, authorities said. He will be formally arraigned on a charge of murder when his condition allows.
Police are searching for the third suspect.
The name of the woman who was shot has not been released.
Garcia extended his condolences to the woman’s family in a statement on Facebook, adding that he wants the public to know he is “equally outraged and frustrated with these senseless acts of violence and illegal activity on our streets.” He also spent last night in the hospital with the family of the woman.
He said he struggles daily as he tries to offer a balanced solution.
“Quite frankly, I have lost my patience. I plan to work with all resources available to me to push this nonsense out of our city,” Garcia said.
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority spokesperson Brandy Pelletier confirmed that one of the agency’s buses was on its route when it was involved in a shooting incident but said there would be no further comment on the active investigation.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and the Holyoke Police Department are investigating.
Police said they received a 911 call about the shooting near the intersection of Sargeant and Maple streets, as well as notifications from ShotSpotter. State police said they sent patrols, K-9 teams and investigative units to help Holyoke Police with the investigation, including the search for suspects in the area.
At Thursday’s press conference, Garcia said that he reached out to Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to help address violence in Holyoke, saying the governor was quick to respond and offer her condolonces. He said the city would look to implement measures including foot and bike patrol units, citywide cameras and the creation of a new criminal task force.
“We will strengthen our efforts without sacrificing compassion and our commitment to social justice,” Garcia said. “I share the community’s anger and sorrow, and I call on all residents of Holyoke to unite.”
Pratt said at the conference that he hoped from this tragedy, change could emerge in the city.
“People understand that random violence can happen anytime,” he said. “We can only do what our resources allow us to do.”
The city councilors who wrote a letter to the mayor and police chief said an increased police presence will allow for officers to engage with residents and business owners, build trust, and gather valuable information that can aid in preventing and solving crimes.
“We saw the impact of community policing efforts in 2016 when our City went an entire year without a homicide,” they wrote.
They acknowledged that community policing is not simply about having more police officers on the streets. It is equally important that the police are given the appropriate resources needed to engage with the community and our residents so that public safety includes active participation of the citizens.
“We recognize that the responsibility does not lie alone with the members of the Holyoke Police Department; community engagement is imperative when implementing community policing, and the shifting of culture and narrative will truly take the participation of our entire community to see or feel any real change.”
The letter also went to state Rep. Patricia Duffy, state Sen. John Velis and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.
“We understand that this is a systemic challenge that goes beyond the oversight and resources of just the Mayor and City alone. There is also an important responsibility of our federal and state delegation to advocate for the funding needed to take a responsible community-oriented ap proach.”
