SPD Homicide Unit Investigation Leads to 3rd Suspect Arrested in Connection with a May Homicide on Leete Street

Springfield, Mass. — On Friday January 21st members of the Springfield Police Department’s Warrant Apprehension Unit, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Massachusetts State Police VFAS and United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested 28 year old Christopher Hernandez inside an apartment on the 0-100 block of High Street.

A Springfield Police Homicide Unit investigation under the direction of Captain Trent Duda led investigators to apply for arrest warrants for Hernandez in connection to a May 1st, 2021 homicide on Leete Street.  The victim, 22 year old Kamari-Khalil Lyles, was shot and succumbed to his injuries on May 6th.  A second victim was shot, but was able to survive his injuries.

On October 8th, a Homicide Unit Investigation led to the arrests of 23-year-old, Joel Rodriguez and 20-year-old, Brialee Garcia at an apartment in the 0-100 block of West Street in Chicopee.  They are both charged with murder, possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Assault to Murder, Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle (2 Counts), Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Building, Carrying a Firearm without a License and Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License.

Homicide Detectives were granted the warrants for Hernandez in October, but he was believed to have left the area until returning recently.  Hernandez’ booking photo will be available after he is arraigned.

28 year old Christopher Hernandez of Springfield is charged with:

• Arrest Warrant
  – Murder
  – Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
  – Assault to Murder
  – Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle (2 Counts)
  – Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a building
  – Carrying a Firearm without a License
  – Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License

• Arrest Warrant
  – Accessory After the Fact