A pregnant woman was critically injured and her baby died after it was delivered following a broad daylight shooting in western Massachusetts that injured several innocent bystanders, officials said.
The pregnant woman, whose identity was not released, was riding on a public bus when a fight between three men erupted in gunfire on the street in downtown Holyoke around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said.
One of the rounds from the shootout hit the bus the woman was on, and she was transported to the hospital in “critical condition,” the DA explained.
“The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away,” the statement read.
Multiple other victims are also in the hospital, the local outlet WWLP reported.
All three suspects were identified, taken to the hospital and placed in custody, the DA’s office reassured the public.
One of Pioneer Valley Transit Authorities buses was on its planned route when it was involved in the shooting, spokesperson Brany Pelletier confirmed.
“I want the public to know that I am equally outraged and frustrated with these senseless acts of violence and illegal activity on our streets,” Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia wrote in an emotional statement Wednesday evening.
“I struggle with it every day attempting to offer a balanced solution. Quite frankly, I have lost my patience,” he continued.
“I plan to work with all resources available to me to push this nonsense out of our city.”
“There are no words that could be sufficient in the face of what happened today to people in the Holyoke community, including innocent bystanders on a regional transit authority bus,” Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Minoca TIbbets-Nutt said of the incident, according to WWLP.
“Our thoughts are with them. And so are our hearts and our sorrow. Our prayers go out to everyone who has been, and will continue to be, affected by this senseless act of violence.”
One of the suspects in the shooting, 22-year-old Alejandro Ramos, is expected to be arraigned on murder and other charges Thursday morning, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
The second suspect, Johnluis Sanchez, 30, remains hospitalized, the office explained.
“He will be formally arraigned on a charge of murder when his condition allows, other charges are expected to follow,” the statement read.
As of Thursday, the status of the third male involved in the altercation was not public knowledge.
With Post wires