HOLYOKE — A 28-year-old Holyoke man is the third suspect being sought in connection with the Oct. 4 shooting on Sargeant Street in Holyoke that claimed the life of an infant.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Holyoke Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section on Wednesday identified Kermith Alvarez as the third person involved in the shooting.
With Alvarez actively avoiding law enforcement, and the firearm used in the incident not recovered, the district attorney’s office is advising that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Previously, Johnluis Sanchez, 30, and Alejandro Ramos, 22, both of Holyoke, were arraigned in Holyoke District Court on charges of murder for their suspected involvement in the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Alvarez should contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit at 413-505-5993 or the Massachusetts State Police: Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE.
Meanwhile, the pregnant woman who was wounded by stray gunfire downtown and critically injured, while her baby later died as a result of the shooting, is asking the community for help with funeral expenses.
Selena Santana was riding on a bus with her boyfriend and 9-year-old son when a stray bullet from a nearby dispute hit Santana, critically injuring her and her unborn son. She was rushed to the hospital, but the doctors were unable to deliver and save her son, Ezekiel.
In a GoFundMe post she set up in hopes of raising $20,000, Santana wrote, “At this time I’m just asking for prayers for me and my family and donations no matter how big or how small to help bury our baby boy who was taken too soon! Ezekiel meant the world to us and forever will he deserves to [be] buried with proper goodbyes from those who truly loved him.”
As of Wednesday morning, donations totaling about $2,800 had been received.
Meanwhile, a second GoFundMe account has been established by Santana’s brother and sister-in-laws, Jennifer and Idaliz Soto, to provide support for Santana and her boyfriend. Currently, about $3,500 has been donated.
In the wake of the shooting, Holyoke 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. Five members of the City Council also sent a letter to Garcia and Pratt calling for a more visible police presence in the area of High, Maple and Main streets downtown.
Last weekend at a “Stop the Violence” march downtown that drew about 100 people, Garcia said part of his strategy to address gun violence would include more law enforcement in high-crime areas where multiple shootings have taken place, citywide cameras and more money toward social programs, according to media reports from the event.
Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.
