Watch CBS News

Springfield Man Killed In Suspected Gang-Related Shooting

SPRINGFIELD (CBS) -- A 22-year-old Springfield man was shot to death early Saturday morning, the police said in a prepared statement.

At about 2:50 a.m., police officers were dispatched to 28 Westminster St. for a report of "shots fired." Residents in the neighborhood had called 9-1-1 and said there was a shooting victim on the ground.

When the officers arrived, they saw several civilians performing first aid on a man later identified as  John Alexander, 22, of Grove Street in Springfield. The officers applied pressure to a bullet wound in the victim's head to stop the bleeding, then EMTs took the gravely injured man to Baystate Medical Center, where Alexander was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigators determined Alexander was sitting in his gold Nissan Maxima near 28 Westminster St. when another car described as a silver Honda or Acura pulled up. A male suspect exited that car and shot into Alexander's car several times, striking him once in the head. The shooter then fled in the silver car, the police said.

Investigators found a handgun near the crime scene that allegedly belonged to Alexander, who fell out of his car into the street after he was shot, the police said.

The killing appears to be gang-related, according to investigators.

Police request anyone with information about the killing to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or to send a text message to Text-a-Tip.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.