Springfield police: Murder victim was helping his killer rob other man

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The victim of Springfield’s 12th murder of the year was killed by a man who was helping him commit a robbery, Springfield police say.

Sgt. John Delaney told 22News police have arrested Ashawnee Duke, 18, of Springfield for the December 2 killing of Keough Collins , 19, of Chicopee.

According to Delaney, around 7:00 that night, Duke and Collins went to Robert Dyer Circle to rob a 31 year-old man. The man fought back, and during the struggle, Delaney says Duke fired his gun; hitting the robbery victim in the leg and Collins in the head.

Both victims were brought to Baystate Medical Center, where Collins died.

Police are still looking into the circumstances of the killing. Delaney called the robbery that led up to the deadly shooting “drug related.”

Delaney says that Duke was arrested by detectives and members of the Tactical Response Unit at 11 Willard Avenue Thursday morning. He is charged with murder, carrying a firearm, discharging a firearm, possession of ammunition, assault with intent to rob (with a firearm), and assault and battery by means of a firearm.

Duke will be arraigned Friday morning in Springfield District Court.