Springfield authorities have apprehended three suspects after a shooting incident last week on Fernald Street, where two undercover detectives were fired upon. The officers, fortunately, escaped unharmed despite their vehicle being struck by the gunfire. According to the Springfield Police Department, it's still unclear if the suspects knew they were shooting at police officials.
The incident prompted a coordinated response by Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), Massachusetts State Police VFAS, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, and U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. Their investigation quickly to rapidly escalate, leading to the identification and arrest of two suspects earlier yesterday. A third suspect was detained later on the same day. Among the items seized during a search included a large-capacity firearm, multiple key fobs suspected to be stolen, and a license plate that had been reported stolen.
As the probe deepened, detectives targeted a house on Fernald Street, which led to the discovery of an additional firearm. Furthermore, officers recovered a third firearm in close vicinity to where the suspects' search took place. In a follow-up operation on Saturday, the Springfield Police FIU arrested Damian Scott, a suspect connected not only to the initial shooting but also to numerous car thefts in the city.
Further investigative work led to the arrest of additional suspects, Dwayne Johnson and Derek Johnson Sr., along with a 17-year-old juvenile. The Johnsons were arrested at a La Quinta Hotel on Congress Street, where authorities found an excess of 100 grams of cocaine along with marijuana. The juvenile's apprehension pulled back to Fernald Street, bringing to a close the series of urgent arrests.
Charges against Dwayne Johnson, aged 22, include cocaine trafficking, assault with intent to murder, and several firearms-related offenses. Derek Johnson Sr., 48, faces charges related to cocaine trafficking and firearms possession. Consistent with legal protections for minors, the juvenile's personal details have been withheld from public release. Arraignment details for the Johnsons are set to occur in Springfield District Court alongside further legal proceedings for this case.
