SPD Firearms Investigation Unit Seizes Two Firearms in Separate Investigations Wednesday Night

Springfield, Mass. — Members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Lt. Christopher Collins and Sgt. Christopher Hitas arrested three suspects and seized two firearms in separate investigations Wednesday night.

On Wednesday afternoon FIU Detectives received information that a known 17-year-old juvenile male was in possession of a firearm in the School Street area.

Around 5:45 p.m. Detectives located the juvenile suspect with two other juveniles walking on the 0-100 block of Mulberry Street and conducted a stop.  The three individuals attempted to run away.  All three juveniles were detained in the area of Maple and Mulberry Streets.

As a 16-year-old juvenile male was detained a loaded firearm fell to the ground from his sweatshirt pocket.  Two juveniles were arrested on firearms charges, the third juvenile, a female was released to her mother.  The names and booking photos of the arrested juveniles will not be released due to their ages.

Photo of the Firearm Recovered from the Juvenile in the area of Maple and Mulberry Streets

Around 10:45 p.m. FIU Detectives were conducting a separate firearms investigation in the area of Noel Street.  Detectives observed a suspect, Markell Mitchell, leave a home and get into a car while holding an object in his waistband.  Based on the investigation Detectives conducted a traffic stop on the 0-100 block of Marble Street.

Detectives recovered a loaded large capacity firearm with a laser attachment in his sweatshirt pocket.  Mitchell was placed under arrest.

Photo of the Firearm Recovered from Mitchell on Marble Street

23-year-old Markell Mitchell of Springfield is charged with:

  • Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
  • Carrying a Firearm without a License

The Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit has seized 117 illegally possessed firearms in 2022, in total Springfield Police Officers have recovered 223 illegally possessed firearms.