Springfield Police Homicide Unit Arrest Three Suspects in Connection with a Shooting on Sycamore Street; Seize Ghost Gun from Juvenile
Springfield, Mass. — The Springfield Police Homicide Unit under the direction of Captain Trent Duda arrested two additional suspects from a May 22nd shooting on Sycamore Street and seized a Ghost Gun from a juvenile during the execution of a search warrant.
On Monday May 22nd, around 3:20 p.m. officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of Acorn and Sycamore Streets. Officers observed damage to two homes and three vehicles which had been struck by gunfire.
A short time later a gunshot victim was dropped at Mercy Medical Center with serious injuries. The victim, an 18-year-old male, was transported to Baystate where Doctors say he remains in critical condition.
Due to the serious nature of the victim’s injuries, the Springfield Police Homicide Unit under the direction of Captain Duda began investigating. The investigation has led Detectives to conclude that multiple individuals arrived together in a car and began shooting at a person and/or home. That is when the gunshot victim was struck by one or more of the individuals he arrived with.
On Thursday May 25th at approximately 12:40 p.m. Springfield Police Homicide Detectives under the direction of Captain Duda arrested 18-year-old Richmond Amoako at Springfield Police Headquarters in connection with the May 22nd shooting on Sycamore Street. Amoako drove the gunshot victim to Mercy and fled the area before he could be questioned by police. Amoako faces firearm charges including assault & battery with a firearm.
During the course of the investigation Homicide Detectives also identified 18-year-old Priest Thomas as being involved in this shooting. Thomas had two open firearms cases and was outfitted with a GPS ankle bracelet as a condition of his release at the time of this incident. Detectives applied for and were granted a warrant for his arrest on Thursday May 25th.
On Friday May 26th at approximately 6:25 a.m. members of the Springfield Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU), Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and members of the Springfield Police Homicide Unit under the direction of Captain Duda executed a search warrant at an apartment on the 0-100 block of Pearl Street.
During the execution of the search warrant Detectives located a large capacity Ghost Gun in a juvenile male’s room and he was placed under arrest. Detectives also located and placed Priest Thomas under arrest.
Prior to these arrests, on Monday May 22nd, just before midnight members of the Springfield Police Homicide Unit under the direction of Captain Duda arrested a 15-year-old male at his home on Wilmont Street in connection with the shooting after Detectives applied for and were granted a warrant for his arrest.
This is an ongoing investigation by the Springfield Police Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Hampden District Attorney’s Murder Unit.
18-year-old Priest Thomas of Springfield is charged with:
• Arrest Warrant
– Carrying a Firearm without a License
– Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
– Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building
– Attempted Assault & Battery with a Firearm
18-year-old Richmond Amoako of Springfield is charged with:
• Carrying a Firearm without a License
Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building
Assault & Battery with a Firearm
The names, photos and charges for the juveniles will not be released due to their ages.