Three Firearms and Nearly Three Dozen Car Keys Recovered after Suspects Shot at Undercover Detectives

Springfield, Mass. — At approximately 7:00 p.m. Thursday January 23rd, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit were conducting surveillance in the area of Fernald Street.  Two subjects walked out of a home on Fernald Street and began shooting at the undercover cruiser.  No officers were struck, but the cruiser was hit.

Assisting Detectives then observed a truck leave the home on Fernald Street and begin to speed away.  Detectives lost sight of the truck, but observed another car that was actively stolen that was connected to the Fernald Street address.  This driver evaded police at a high rate of speed before crashing in the area of Fox Road and Grayson Drive.  All the occupants got out of the car and ran away.

Over the next two-plus hours, the Springfield Police utilized K9’s, a Drone and was assisted by the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing during an exhaustive search of the area.  Several occupants of the vehicle were secured, identified and released.

Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers stated, “First and foremost I am thankful that our officers are okay and were not harmed.  We are very fortunate, as the events could have unfolded very differently.  It’s not clear if these suspects knew that they were shooting at police officers, but their brazen actions show no regard for human life or the consequences they may face.  I’d like to thank our many residents who helped by providing tips during the search Thursday night.  We no longer believe that the outstanding suspects are in your area.  This investigation is ongoing, and I have faith that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “First off, I am glad to hear that none of our officers were hurt or seriously injured.  This was a very serious and brazen act of violence by these suspects.  They showed no regards for the lives of our officers or for any innocent bystanders that may have been nearby.  They put our officers and residents in danger and should be held accountable for their actions by our courts.  I want to commend our brave and dedicated men and women of the Springfield Police Department, especially our Firearms Investigation Unit, for their efforts in keeping our residents safe, making these arrest and taking more illegal guns off our streets and out of our neighborhoods.  Thanks to their quick response and actions this dangerous situation did not escalate.  The investigation is ongoing and I have the full faith and confidence in our Police Department that they will identify everyone that was involved and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Detectives received information about another suspect that was inside the vehicle when it crashed on Grayson Drive.  Detectives located that suspect, later identified as Christopher O’Bara, at a home on the 0-100 block of Lancaster Street.  Detectives then applied for and were granted a search warrant for the home.

During a search of the home, Detectives seized a large-capacity firearm, shell casings, and loose ammunition.  In addition to those items, Detectives recovered more than 30 keys or key fobs that are suspected to be stolen, a license plate that had been reported stolen and other documents that were reported stolen.  Auto-Theft Detectives are investigating the recovered keys and additional charges may be brought forward.  After the search around 3:30 a.m. Friday, Detectives placed O’Bara under arrest.

Detectives also requested and were granted a search warrant for the home on Fernald Street, which led to the seizure of a second firearm.

On Friday morning, officers located a third firearm in the area of Jennings Street which is in the area of where the search for the suspects took place.

Around 7:10 p.m. Thursday, while Detectives were on Fernald Street investigating the shooting they located two individuals inside the home.  One subject, 63-year-old Howard Singletary, had active warrants and was placed under arrest.

This is an ongoing investigation conducting by the Springfield Police Detective Bureau and Firearms Investigation Unit.

18-year-old Christopher O’Bara of Springfield is charged with:

• Possession of a Firearm without a License
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
• Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device
• Improper Storage of a Firearm
• Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200 (Three Counts)

63-year-old Howard Singletary of Springfield is charged with:

• Arrest Warrant
  – Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
  – Malicious Destruction of Property Less than $1200