Update 7:34 a.m.: Victim has been identified as city man Hakeem Powell.
SPRINGFIELD - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno decried the violence that claimed the life of the city's 16th homicide victim on Saturday, and said he is resurrecting the Police Department's street crimes unit in response to the killing.
"I'm not going to mince any words right now. This is gang-related," Sarno said. "This was an in-your-face type incident that occurred."
"People there, they saw it. Nobody's cooperating . . . The full force of public safety officials will now be rendered. "You want to run and be a gang-banger . . . Police and authorities will be in your face now," Sarno said.
The department's shotspotter activation system was triggered at 2:14 p.m., recording seven or eight shots in the area of Stebbins and Quincy streets. Police said the 33-year-old man, Hakeem M.Powell, of 80 Quincy St., suffered one fatal wound to the head.
Police were there "in seconds," according to Police Sgt. John M. Delaney, who said there was a friend crouched beside the bleeding man.
The companion was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant but is not considered a suspect, Delaney said. Investigators believe that the shooting was gang-related, and may be a possible drug deal gone bad. That area is a known high drug traffic area.
"Investigators are looking at all angles," Delaney said.
Delaney said he had spent the morning and Henderson Funeral Home joining mourners for John R. Alexander, 22, who was shot to death while he sat in his car on Westminster Street last Saturday.
"I spent all morning there and 45 minutes later, this shooting happened, a stone's throw from the funeral home," Delaney said, which also was a stone's throw from where Alexander was shot.
Extra patrols had been working in the area to combat violence and will continue all weekend, Delaney said.
Sarno described the street crimes unit as a "military-style" strike force which will feature police in fatigues patrolling problem areas. He said it will be activated as soon as possible, and he has already discussed it with Police Commissioner William Fitchet.
"If you're not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about," Sarno said.
Earlier in the day, Sarno also had stopped by Henderson's Funeral Home to pay his respects to the family of Alexander. He said he was disgusted that the latest murder occurred in broad daylight, with plenty of people around, and that no one was giving the police information.
Sarno said the street crimes unit has been in use previously during spikes of violence. He said he is asking for residents to cooperate with the fight against this "senseless violence."
"We have to fight fire with fire," Sarno said. "These senseless killings have to stop and they will stop with the force of the police. We'll utilize the CAT (state police community action) team, federal and state bureaus also. It's absolutely unconscionable that this occurred."
There were 12 homicides last year in Springfield.
A community meeting was held Wednesday night to decry the recent spate of violence. On Sept. 21, Adriana Bonet, 25, was shot to death at about 2:30 a.m. as she stood with two men in the parking lot at 955 Worthington St. At 10 p.m. that same day, Brandon Daniels, 29, was shot to death in front of 179 Walnut St. following what police described as a confrontation with a group of men.
Alexander was shot in the head as he was sitting in his car on Sept. 28 in front of 28 Westminster St. just before 3 a.m.
No one has been arrested in the murders.
Staff writer Stephanie Barry contributed to this story.
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