Afternoon gunfire in a neighborhood off Belmont Avenue ended with a man pulled from a nearby basement and taken into custody on Tuesday, according to Springfield police. Officers were called around 2:45 p.m. to the 0-100 block of Belmont Avenue for reports of shots fired and found at least one vehicle hit by gunfire at the scene. Authorities say the suspect was later tracked to the basement of a nearby apartment building and arrested.
What Officers Say
Springfield Police say officers recovered a handgun from the suspect and seized about 14 grams of crack cocaine during the arrest. Investigators say video evidence allegedly shows the man firing at two people. The department identified the suspect as 29-year-old Deshaun Stenson of Springfield.
Police say damage to a vehicle and other evidence was collected at the scene, and Stenson was taken into custody there, as reported by Western Mass News.
Arrest History
Public arrest logs and past reporting indicate Stenson has been arrested previously on firearm and drug related charges and has prior contacts with Springfield police. Those records list entries for "STENSON, DASHAUN Z" and show a Fort Pleasant Avenue address in the city, according to the Springfield Police Department. The records suggest Stenson has been in police custody in prior years for similar offenses.
Charges Filed
Police say Stenson was arrested and charged with a string of offenses, including discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, improper storage of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug, breaking and entering for a misdemeanor, and malicious damage to a motor vehicle. Those charges were outlined by Springfield Police in reporting by Western Mass News. The case is expected to move through Hampden County's courts as prosecutors review evidence and prepare formal filings.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities said the two people who were allegedly targeted have not been publicly identified, and it was not immediately clear whether they were struck by gunfire. Springfield Police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with video or information to contact the department's detectives. No additional arrests have been announced, and officers continue to review footage and interview witnesses.
