Responding to a Sunday afternoon shots-fired report on Girard Avenue, Springfield police say they pulled a loaded handgun and more than 50 small bags of suspected drugs from a car with two occupants, arresting both on the spot. Authorities identified the pair as 32-year-old Larry Green of Springfield and 25-year-old Christian Hernandez of Ludlow.
In a post on the Springfield Police Department Facebook page, officers said the traffic stop followed the initial call about shots fired in the 0-100 block of Girard. A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a loaded firearm along with “more than 50 bags” of marijuana and crack cocaine, all seized as evidence. The post also lists the specific criminal charges officers say each man is facing.
Police account
According to Western Mass News, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Girard Avenue just before 4 p.m., where they located a vehicle with two people inside. The outlet reports that both suspects were taken into custody at the scene and that the loaded handgun and suspected narcotics were found during a subsequent search of the car.
Charges and prior record
Per the department’s Facebook post, Green faces a slate of charges that includes convicted felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license (third offense), conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug, and possession of a Class B drug. The post also notes that Green has prior convictions for armed assault with intent to murder, along with two earlier firearm possession convictions.
How this fits into a pattern
This latest bust slots into what has become a steady drumbeat of gun-and-drug cases in Springfield. Recent enforcement actions tied to a ShotSpotter ping and other investigations have led to multiple weapons and narcotics recoveries in the city. In a separate case on April 30, Western Mass News reported an arrest that turned up a machine gun and dozens of bags of heroin. Local coverage indicates detectives have been zeroing in on vehicle-based and street-level gun possession in recent months.
Legal implications
In Massachusetts, carrying a firearm without a license is a criminal offense spelled out in M.G.L. c. 269 § 10. The statute allows for stiff penalties, and repeat-offender provisions can significantly increase potential prison time when someone has prior violent or serious drug convictions. The Massachusetts sentencing guidelines lay out mandatory terms for certain firearm violations under § 10, particularly when prior records come into play.
What happens next
Police say both men were booked on the listed charges and are currently being held in custody pending processing. The investigation remains active, and the case is expected to move through the Hampden County court system as prosecutors and detectives evaluate the evidence and determine the next steps.
