SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield Police Officer is hospitalized in Boston following a shooting incident Wednesday night on State Street.
The officer, who has served for seven years and is a recent Medal of Valor recipient, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries to the face and leg.
Around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit detectives, working on an unrelated case on College Street, were shot at from a Honda Civic.
Shortly afterward, assisting detectives were fired upon by occupants of a Jeep Cherokee with an AR-15 style rifle among other weapons on State Street and Hunter Place.
Although the cruiser was hit approximately five times, the officers were unharmed.
The attackers then targeted an officer arriving for his shift, who was subsequently shot and rushed to Baystate Medical Center by fellow detectives and a supervisor.
Seven suspects have been detained, and seven firearms seized following the incidents.
Three individuals were arrested after the Civic was stopped on the I-91 on-ramp, where the driver collided with two Department of Transportation workers, seriously injuring one.
Four firearms, including two with modifications for full automatic fire, were recovered.
The Jeep was located at a residence on Randall Place, leading to the arrest of three additional suspects and the recovery of three more firearms.
A fourth suspect, 31-year-old Jaime Griffin, was arrested at the scene.
Detectives, along with Massachusetts State Police, executed a search warrant early Thursday, seizing more ammunition and firearm magazines.
Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved, vowing support for the injured officer and wishing the DOT worker a rapid recovery.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno echoed these sentiments and called for more stringent court actions against repeat violent offenders, advocating for bail reform legislation.
The arrested individuals from the Civic and Jeep face numerous firearms charges, with some having prior arrests for similar offenses.
The Springfield Police Detective Bureau, directed by Captain Trent Duda, continues to investigate.
