A 64-year-old Springfield resident was apprehended Tuesday night in connection with a recent shooting incident, according to authorities. Jose Martinez-Vazquez was arrested by detectives from the Springfield Police Department's Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) inside his Morgan Street apartment. The arrest was a result of an investigation following a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning.
The Springfield Police, under the command of Sergeants Christopher Hitas and David Robillard, responded to a disturbance call on the 0-100 block of Morgan Street around 3:15 a.m. on February 4. While officers were on their way, the situation escalated with reports of shots being fired. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male with gunshot wounds who was subsequently taken to Baystate with injuries that were grave, but not life-threatening.
Investigators quickly identified Martinez-Vazquez as the alleged suspect. By Tuesday, FIU detectives obtained a search warrant for his residence. The search warrant execution not only resulted in Martinez-Vazquez's apprehension but also led to the discovery of an arsenal of ammunition exceeding 50 rounds. An adult female who was also in the apartment at the time of the search was questioned and released, as stated by the Springfield Police Department's news release.
Martinez-Vazquez now faces multiple charges which include assault to murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of ammunition without an FID card, carrying a firearm without a license, and carrying a loaded rifle/shotgun on a public way. His capture marks a high point for the Springfield police in their ongoing efforts to curb gun violence within the city.
