SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS: The identity of a man, involved in a murder-suicide case that took the lives of a woman and a dog, has been disclosed. Victor Nieves was reportedly the man behind the fatal incident that happened on August 14 at 174 Berkshire Avenue in Springfield.
“I remain deeply saddened by this tragic attack. This is unequivocally one of the most heinous and cowardly acts to which I’ve had to bear witness as District Attorney,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony D Gulluni reportedly said.
Who was Victor Nieves?
As per a media release from the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Nieves was responsible for taking the lives of 52-year-old Kim Fairbanks and a dog. The 34-year-old man was their neighbor, who also injured two of the three children inside the house before shooting himself down.
It has been said that all the children – aged 12, 10, and 5 – are siblings and Fairbanks was their grandmother. Following the attack, they were taken to Baystate Medical Center.
The press release stated that the 10-year-old suffered severely and was still not stable while the 12-year-old was doing fine. The youngest of the siblings, however, did not get wounded.
The gunman has a Facebook account that did not give out many details about him, except that he lived in Springfield and was single. However, the photos posted on the page hint that he was a father to a girl child and a boy. Also, as per Boston.com, Nieves' had a criminal history, which included a 2011 illegal gun charge and a 2017 motor vehicle charge.
What did the authorities say?
The DA continued in the statement, “I am profoundly sorry for these children and their family members. My heart goes out to the parents of these children and the family and loved ones of Ms Fairbanks.”
“As investigators, we will do everything we can to support this family as we move forward and close the criminal investigation,” Gulluni added.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C Clapprood noted, “This is an absolute tragedy, and I am praying for this family. In my forty-plus years at the Springfield Police Department, this is one of the most heart-wrenching incidents I can remember.”
She went on to say, “I am extremely proud of my officers who were the first responders that were able to get these children to Baystate as rapidly as they did,” before asserting, “We are holding a debriefing for those officers and will provide any support that we can because most officers won’t have to encounter a scene like that in their entire career.”
Mayor Domenic J Sarno on murder-suicide
Besides, a statement was also issued by Mayor Domenic J Sarno, which said, “I have spoken to the mother of the children who were seriously harmed by an unprovoked and despicable attack put forth by Victor Nieves to, first of all, offer my support, thoughts, prayers, and encouragement to her and her family.”
“Also, my sympathy for the loss of the children’s grandmother, Kim Fairbanks,” the 60-year-old shared as he added, “I ask our caring community of Springfield to keep this family in their thoughts and prayers and be prepared to once again aid them in their time of need.”
