Reaction to arrest in Reynolds murder

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A community in mourning gets some relief knowing there's a suspect in the stabbing death of a Cathedral High School student.

Veteran law enforcement officers say the odds of solving a murder go way up if an arrest is made within the first 48 hours. Springfield police came pretty close to that deadline when, after around the clock detective work, they had a Springfield man in custody after just 72 hours.

17-year old Conor Reynolds was a Cathedral High School senior and soccer star, but his family will never be able to hug him again. The athlete was stabbed and killed on Saturday night during a birthday party at the Blue Fusion Bar and Grill on St. James Avenue. Just 72 hours later Springfield police arrested 20-year old Eric Denson of Carew Street in Springfield

"Just glad that justice is being served and that the Springfield Police Department is doing it's job to bring justice, to get this kind of violence off the street, because, you know there's no need for it," said Richard Bogdaniwicz of East Springfield.

The city says the Blue Fusion Bar and Grill had no liquor, food, entertainment or health licences. It has since been shut down. 22News talked with Dennis Leger, Spokesman for the Springfield Fire Department. He says a fire code inspection has since been done at the bar, and no violations were found.

City records list Tony Taylor of Springfield, and Edward T. Newton of Agawam as the owners of Blue Fusion and the building itself. On Tuesday night 22News went to Taylor's house, no one came to the door. On Wednesday night 22News returned to Taylor's Plumtree Road Home, and once again, no one answered.

Mark Dupont, spokesperson for the Diocese of Springfield, says the arrest has provided some comfort to devastated students "At least they can look at it now, and know the police were right there, they brought the suspect in, it was a thorough investigation as we understand it right now, and we can only hope for a successful conclusion."

22News also attempted to contact the attorney for Taylor and Taylor Inc., the company doing business as Blue Fusion. On Tuesday the person answering the phone for Springfield Attorney Frank Caruso told 22News he was 'out of state,' and Wednesday said he was 'unavailable.'

So far, 22News phone calls have not been returned.