HOLYOKE, MASS. (WHDH) - Law enforcement have identified two men charged in connection with a shooting in Holyoke that left a pregnant woman in critical condition, whose infant child later died.
Alejandro Ramos, 22, and Johnluis Sanchez, 30, both Holyoke residents, were identified by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office as suspects involved in a shooting on Sargeant Street Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities said an altercation involving three male suspects led up to the shooting, which resulted in a round striking a pregnant woman sitting in a bus nearby.
The woman was left in critical condition and according to officials, her infant passed away after being delivered and needing life-saving medical care.
The DA’s office said all suspects involved had since been identified, with one taken to a hospital, while another was brought into custody.
In an update, the office said Ramos was to be arraigned in Holyoke District Court on a murder charge. During proceedings, a judge ordered he be held without bail while setting his next court date for Nov. 3.
Sanchez, who was hospitalized after the shooting, was also expected to be arraigned on a murder charge “when his condition allows,” the DA’s office stated.
While authorities continue to investigate, new video on Thursday showed the moments leading up to the shooting.
The surveillance video was taken from inside Almonte Market. Shared with 7NEWS, the video shows one of the suspects in this incident walk out a door before being tackled by another suspect.
Shots rang out during the fight and one of the men was hit. He is soon seen crawling back into Almonte Market holding his leg.
The video does not show the bus where authorities said the pregnant woman was hit by gunfire.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia said he spent time with the woman’s family at the hospital on Wednesday.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Garcia said he has “lost his patience” with violence in the city and that the death of an unborn child “really got under [his] skin.”
“I share the community’s anger, I share the community’s horror at what happened yesterday on Maple and Sargeant,” Garcia said through tears. “And I call on all residents of Holyoke to unite – join us in this monumental task of healing and renewal.”
“I still have as much hope and vision and faith in the future of Holyoke as that young woman on the PVTA bus had for her baby,” Garcia said.
Among his comments, Garcia said he is working with police to get more citywide cameras for surveillance and to increase foot and bike patrols.
“We’re not just going to sit idly by and move on to the next tragedy,” said Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt on Thursday. “We’re going to make the changes necessary to make our streets safer.”
Authorities said the third suspect wanted in connection with the incident was still being sought by police as of Thursday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
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