Springfield Police Arrest Father of Sci-Tech Shooting Suspect
Chicopee, Mass. — On Tuesday March 19th at approximately 1:15 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan, Chicopee Police and Massachusetts State Police VFAS arrested 45-year-old Dana Dudley on a warrant in connection with last Monday’s shooting at the High School of Science and Technology.
On Monday March 18th, Springfield Police Detectives under the direction of Captain Trent Duda applied for and were granted a warrant for Dana Dudley’s arrest.
At approximately 2:10 p.m. on Monday March 11th, a Springfield Police School Resource Officer called out a large disturbance at the High School of Science and Technology.
One suspect had a firearm, struck a victim and fired one shot from within the school hallway, through a window outside. No one was shot and no one was seriously injured.
The investigation revealed that Dana Dudley, Chantz Dudley, Josiah Livingston and a juvenile female student were outside the school when a teacher cracked the door to tell them to leave. This is when one of the suspects grabbed the handle, opened the door and the group forced their way into the school.
Dana Dudley was detained by a school staff member who also removed a knife Dudley was allegedly armed with. After the shot was fired Dana Dudley drove off with Chantz Dudley and the juvenile female.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Once again, I want to commend the brave and dedicated men and women of our Springfield Police Department Firearms Investigation Unit under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan. If it wasn’t for their quick and immediate response, thanks to our Quebec Officers and cameras that provide real time feedback for responding officers, this situation could have been much worse. Not only did these adults forcefully entered the school to assault a student but they brought a gun and a knife – what the hell is wrong with these adults! Again, tremendous response by SPD. Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick and I are now hopeful that our courts and some judges will take this serious breach of peace and violence in our schools seriously and hold these individuals accountable. This situation could have escalated and hurt a lot of students, teachers and staff. There must be consequences for their violent actions.”
On Tuesday March 19th, Dudley was placed under arrest. He was courtesy booked at the Chicopee Police Department and then booked and processed at the Springfield Police Department. he is expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Wednesday.
45-year-old Dana Dudley of Chicopee is charged with:
- Arrest Warrant
– Carrying a Dangerous Weapon on School Grounds
– Armed Breaking and Entering Daytime for a Felony Putting a Person in Fear
***Dana Dudley’s booking photo will be available after he is arraigned
On Monday March 11th Springfield Police Officers arrested 22-year-old Josiah Livingston inside the school on Assault & Battery charges in connection with this incident. Additional charges are pending.
On March 13th, the Springfield Police Detective Bureau under the direction of Captain Trent Duda were granted an Arrest Warrant for 20-year-old Chantz Dudley of Chicopee in connection with the shooting.
***The booking photo shown is from Dudley’s September 26, 2022, firearms arrest***
Chantz Dudley is alleged to have forced his way into a hallway at Sci-Tech armed with a gun. Chantz Dudley is alleged to have used that illegal firearm to strike a victim in the head and then fire one shot through a window. Springfield Police Detectives immediately began investigating and identified Chantz Dudley as a suspect. Once captured Chantz Dudley will face the following charges:
- Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Building
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Malicious Destruction of Property more than $1200
- Carrying a Firearm on School Grounds
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Armed Breaking and Entering Daytime for a Felony putting a Person in Fear
At the time of this incident, Chantz Dudley was out on bail after being indicted on firearms charges stemming from a September 2022 incident at the Eastfield Mall.
Chantz Dudley is currently at-large. If you know his whereabouts, please call our Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or anonymously Text-A-Tip. Text CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) type SOLVE and your tip. If you see Dudley, do not approach him, consider him armed and dangerous. We urge Mr. Dudley to turn himself in at the nearest police station or at the Hampden County Hall of Justice.
All individuals involved in this incident have been identified. This is an ongoing investigation.
