Spfld. man killed on Worthington Street

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield police are investigating an early morning murder in the heart of the city's entertainment district.

23-year-old Devada Wannamaker was shot and killed on Worthington Street. Springfield police Sergeant John Delaney told 22News police found Wannamaker shot in an alley near Club Illusion, around 1:30am Sunday morning.

"Stuff like this happens in Springfield. It's a tragedy, but at the same time you don't know where it's going to happen, it could happen anywhere", says Springfield's Jamie Kalagher.

One neighbor who talked to 22News says he doesn't come down here after midnight. "No you walk through here you get mugged, for real, this place is not safe no more, not like it used to be", says Springfield's Alberto Rando.

Police say Wannamaker, who lived in the Indian Orchard section of the city, had a loaded gun, marijuana and ready to sell crack-cocaine on him. Sergeant Delaney told 22News he believes drugs might be the reason behind the shooting. The Worthington Street area is still packed on weekend nights, but no matter what the reason is for the shooting, it still makes people watch their back more carefully and think twice about going out in the city.

"Sometimes there will be nights, if Springfield seems to be getting violent, we will stay home, but for the most part you have to be cautious no matter where you go, but we try not to let it interfere with our daily lifestyles", says Kalagher.

This is the city's 17th murder of the year. Some people have just lost hope.

"There's no way to fix it", says Rando.

Springfield police told 22News no witnesses have come forward and they have not made any arrests in connection with this shooting.