HOLYOKE, MA – A tragic incident unfolded in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Wednesday when a pregnant woman was critically injured and her unborn child was killed in a shooting. The gunfire broke out around 12:38 p.m. at an intersection on Sargeant Street, according to a statement from Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
The woman, who was not involved in the altercation that led to the shooting, was on a public bus when she was struck by a bullet. She was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical professionals who delivered the baby and provided life-saving measures, the infant did not survive.
The Holyoke Police Department reported multiple victims in the incident. Emergency operators received several calls and notifications from ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection system. Three male suspects believed to be involved in the altercation were identified and taken into custody at local hospitals.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, the Holyoke Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit all involved.
A witness on the bus, Jade Nelson, recounted the terrifying moments. She was seated in front of the pregnant woman when the shooting occurred. Nelson described hearing seven or eight gunshots and the immediate aftermath when the woman began crying.
The incident has sparked outrage and grief in the community. Governor Maura Healey expressed her condolences on X (formerly Twitter), calling every life lost to gun violence a tragedy. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia voiced his frustration and pledged to use all available resources to combat violence in the city.