Chicopee residents grateful disaster was averted

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Neighborhood residents were paralyzed with fear when a man started shooting at everything in sight, including a Massachusetts state trooper.

Chicopee residents say Friday’s chilling account could only be imagined in a movie.  “It's surreal and it's been two days and I'm still..just today my daughter and I made breakfast; we are going for a walk to the library and she said mom I just can't believe it,” said Elizabeth Murphy who woke up to the sound gunshots. “She was afraid to come home Friday,” said Murphy of her daughter.

It's been two days since 41-year-old Carlos Laguer used an assault riffle to start a shooting spree in broad daylight, in front of dozens of people and just feet away from a gas tanker.

One state trooper was injured but the only death in this violent shooting was the gunman. On Sunday morning, those headed to church in Chicopee reflected on what transpired.

“I definitely feel that God was present, there's always a reason for everything and He was making sure that things weren't worse,” said Fernando Aponte of Chicopee outside of St. Stanislaus.

Those who live across the street, at 65 West Street, were stuck in the middle of concentrated fire for nearly three hours and say that walking by the shattered glass is a reminder of how lucky they are to be alive.

“Oh my God, it's amazing that we were so close and everybody is OK you know, other than being a little bit
scared you know we are all alive,” said mother of two Bonnie Lagerstrom who lives on the 4th floor of 65 West Street.

Lagerstrom was getting her son Aiden ready for school when shots started flying outside her window. Despite the fact he's only five, that frightening Friday morning left a lasting impression.

“There was like100 cops, I thought, and one guy and then I was about to leave to go to school and then I heard bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,” said Aiden David White on West Street, Sunday morning.

Trooper John Vasquez who suffered gunshot wounds to his right hand and left leg, was sent home from the hospital Sunday afternoon.