Authorities: ‘innocent bystander’ killed in Holyoke Mall shooting

HOLYOKE, MA. (WGGB/WSHM) - One person is dead following a shooting at the Holyoke Mall on Saturday.

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office said that Holyoke Police were called to the mall just before 7 p.m. for a report of shots fired.

When they arrived, they found a male victim and the suspect was immediately taken into custody.

“The incident, which resulted in a fatality, occurred between two known parties. The victim was an innocent bystander to a confrontation between two other people,” the D.A.’s office said in statement.

When Western Mass News crews arrived on-scene, there was a heavy police presence at the entrance near 110 Grill and JCPenney and we saw many people exiting the mall.

Officials noted that there is no ongoing public safety threat.

In a social media post, Holyoke Mall said that the shopping center was closed for the night and will reopen Sunday at 11 a.m.

When Western Mass News spoke with mall security, they said mall employees were ordered to lock their gates or safely leave. Officers went around to each store when it was safe to leave.

Pyramid Management Group, which owns Holyoke Mall, said in a statement on Saturday:

“We do not condone violence of any kind in our community. We are actively cooperating with law-enforcement in the investigation of this incident and understand that the suspect was immediately taken into custody and that there is no ongoing public safety threat as it relates to this incident. Our thoughts this evening remain with the victim and their family during this difficult time.”

The case remains under investigation by Holyoke Police and State Police detectives assigned to the D.A.’s office.

Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have the latest as it becomes available.

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