Spfld records 19th murder of the year

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The death of a man found on Chestnut Street is being ruled a homicide, making it Springfield's 19th murder of the year.

Springfield Police Cpt. Sheryl Clapprood told 22News that the man was found in front of his house on 564 Chestnut Street in the city's North End neighborhood around 2:00 Sunday morning.

Cpt. Clapprood told 22News there were no calls to the station for shots fired. However, a single gun shot wound was found on the back of the head.

Police are not releasing his identity, but neighbors say he was from Mexico and lived with roommates.

Neighbors say they are surprised because the victim always kept to himself and was known for being a hard worker. "I'm surprised because this neighborhood is quiet. Everyone knows everyone and now this happens and I don't know how," said Veronica Rondon, "in fact, I always walked by and he'd be working. He's a young man that to me was quiet and never got in trouble with anyone."

This happened around the same time as another violent incident on Taylor and Kibbe Streets. Springfied police opened fire on the driver of a stolen car when the driver struck a police cruiser and ran over an officer early Sunday morning. The officer sustained injuries to both legs and is in fair condition at an area hospital. The driver, 18-year-old Tahiem Goffe, is in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center.

Springfield Police told 22News although both incidents happened just 30 minutes apart, they are not related.