Prosecutors consider moving case of 17-year-old Holyoke Mall shooter to adult court

HOLYOKE ― A 17-year-old Springfield resident accused of firing at police inside the Holyoke Mall is facing juvenile charges, but prosecutors say they plan to seek a youthful offender indictment that could move the case to adult court.

The teen was under Department of Youth Services supervision at the time of the shooting , in which police returned fire and wounded the suspect. The juvenile was arraigned virtually Monday afternoon in Springfield Juvenile Court because he remains hospitalized. The hearing was closed to the public, and the name withheld, because he is a minor.

He will be transferred to the custody of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department even as he remains hospitalized, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan told The Republican. Specific charges had not been released by the Hampden District Attorney's Office as of 6 p.m. Monday.

Although the Holyoke Police Department and state police have beefed up patrols, Keenan said the mall remains a safe place for shoppers.

"There have been two incidents in the last 10 to 15 years ... this was an isolated incident," Keenan said.

Police say the teen was caught shoplifting at JCPenney by mall security who alerted nearby police. Around 4:30 p.m. Friday, as two Holyoke police officers tried to stop the teen near the Round1 Bowling & Amusement area, the youth allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at them. The officers shot back and hit him at least twice.

The mall reopened to the public Saturday.

On Monday afternoon, the mall was relatively quiet. Shoppers came and went through the arcade entrance. People interviewed by The Republican said they feel the mall is safe.

James Soos, director of asset management for the Pyramid Management Group, the property's owner, said safety is the Holyoke Mall's top priority.

Soos said the mall works closely with police and regularly trains staff to handle emergencies, including conducting drills, training sessions and risk assessments to ensure the team can respond quickly and effectively.

The mall also regularly reviews and updates its safety measures, including the long-standing Parental Escort Policy, to meet changing security needs, he said.

"We are committed to providing a secure and welcoming environment, and we continue to take proactive steps to strengthen safety protocols throughout the property," he said.

Soos encouraged shoppers to stay alert and to report any suspicious activity to mall security or local police.

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