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Pittsfield Police Cruiser Involved in Accident
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield Police cruiser was involved in a two-car accident on Thursday evening and the officer and the driver of the second vehicle incurred minor injuries.
According to police, the 2017 Ford Explorer operated by Officer Matthew Killeen was northbound traveling from South Street through the intersection at Park Square at about 8:30 p.m. when he collided with a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, operated by Sheila Aitken of Cheshire.
Killeen had his emergency lights activated in response to a call for service, police said.
Both operators were transported to Berkshire Medical Center for minor injuries. The crash is being investigated by Patrol Division Supervisors and the Traffic Bureau.
Former Becket Resident Victim of Sunday's Shooting in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former Becket woman has died from injuries suffered during an early morning shooting on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Stephanie Olivieri, 32, of Yonkers, N.Y., suffered a single gunshot wound while sitting in a vehicle near the intersection of Columbus Avenue and South John Street in Pittsfield. She subsequently died at Berkshire Medical Center. The case is being investigated as a homicide.
At this time, the family requests privacy.
Pittsfield Police responded to both a ShotSpotter activation and several 911 calls reporting multiple gunshots at 3:22 a.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, officers found Olivieri wounded inside a silver sedan. She was treated at the scene and then transported by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center.
Her remains are being transferred to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy on a date to be determined.
At this point, investigators do not believe she was the intended target of the shooting.
No arrests have been made but Pittsfield Police, the State Police Detectives assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office, and the Berkshire County sheriff's office are working to bring the shooter to justice.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Pittsfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. Anonymous tips can be made by texting PITTIP and the message to 847411 (TIP411).
"Our hearts sink for the Olivieri family. No one should lose a loved one this way and we send our deepest condolences," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
"We trust that law enforcement will find the person who committed this heinous crime. We will aggressively prosecute and hold the perpetrator accountable. We may never be able to fill the gap left in the hearts of her friends and family but they deserve to have justice served. We will not tolerate this type of violence in Berkshire County."
Pittsfield Shooting Incident Now a Homicide
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The shooting incident on Columbus Avenue on Sunday is now being investigated as a homicide.
A single individual had been found that morning by authorities responding to the shooting and was taken to Berkshire Medical Center.
The Berkshire district attorney's office says it is withholding the release of the person's name and any additional information about the victim at this time to provide the family privacy.
Police had responded Sunday morning to a ShotSpotter activation and several 911 calls reporting multiple gunshots in the area of 347 Columbus Ave.
When they arrived at about 3:22 a.m., the victim was found inside a motor vehicle.
The DA's office says law enforcement has been aggressive in its efforts to investigate this crime and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.
A multi-agency investigation into the matter is ongoing with fully committed resources from the Pittsfield Police Department, the State Police Detectives assigned to the DA's office, and the Berkshire sheriff's office.
Anyone with information should contact the Pittsfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705 or anonymously by texting PITTIP and a message to TIP411 (847411).
Pittsfield Man Sentenced to Five Years on Firearm Charges
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield man was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for drug and firearm violations.
The Berkshire district attorney's office secured guilty pleas from 41-year-old Davon Kelly on a number of charges related to a shooting incident outside of the former Lach's Lounge on Fenn Street in Pittsfield on Aug. 20, 2018, and subsequent arrest.
Kelly pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to single counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a loaded firearm, illegal possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, possession of heroin, and armed career felon.
He shot at several individuals during an altercation at approximately 1:03 a.m. the morning of Aug. 20, 2018. Pittsfield Police investigated the matter and arrested Kelly on Aug. 30, 2018.
Judge Karen Goodwin ordered Kelly to serve five years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. He was also ordered to serve three years of probation thereafter.
The DA's office had asked for 10 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Giarolo.
"The Berkshire district attorney's office takes violence and gun crimes very seriously. We praise the work of the Pittsfield Police Department and our prosecutors for getting an illegal gun off the street and a dangerous person in jail," said District Attorney Andrea Harrington.
Pittsfield Police Investigating Columbus Avenue Shooting
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating an early Sunday morning shooting on Columbus Avenue that injured one.
According to a statement from the district attorney's office, officers responded at about 3:22 a.m. Sunday to the area of 347 Columbus Ave. after both a ShotSpotter activation and several 911 calls reporting multiple gunshots.
Upon arrival, one victim was found injured inside a vehicle and was transported to Berkshire Medical Center. The victim's name and medical condition are not being released.
Sections of Columbus Avenue and South John Street were closed throughout the day Sunday but re-opened at about 2:30 p.m. This appears to be an isolated incident and investigators do not have any ongoing safety concerns for the public at large.
District Attorney Andrea Harrington said more details about the incident will be provided to the public at the appropriate time.
"Our thoughts are with the victim right now and we are respecting the family’s privacy," Harrington said. "Police have cleared the scene and are continuing the investigation into the circumstances. We will provide more information when we can."
Mayor Linda Tyer said residents should not fear for their safety, noting the full-scale effort undertaken by law enforcement currently in progress.
"My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim and the family who are impacted by this tragic event," the mayor said in a statement. "I want to underscore that this is an active investigation that has the full attention and resources of the city and our multiple partners in law enforcement. They are working vigorously to apprehend the perpetrators so justice can be served and order can be restored in the neighborhood."
Pittsfield Police, the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office, and the State Police Firearm Identification Section are currently investigating the incident.
No further information is being released at this time.
Pittsfield Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. Anonymous tips can be made by texting PITTIP and the message to 847411 (TIP411).
Updated at 9:05 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26, 2019.
