Family of slain teen pleas for peace

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The family of a murdered 18 year-old Springfield mom is going public with their pain. Loved ones of Brittany Perez are hoping to put an end to the senseless violence plaguing the city streets.

With a photo of her daughter in her arms, BobbieJo Maynard could not find the words to express the grief, and the void left behind. Eighteen year-old Brittany Perez was killed in a Springfield shooting early Sunday morning at 55 Wilmont Street.

Brittany's family huddled around her husband and baby boy to make a public plea to stop the killing.

"Innocent people shouldn't get hurt by violence, and there are so many guns on the street right now. It has to stop, has to stop," begged her father, Frankie Perez

The teen was allegedly gunned down in her bedroom by Daniel Horne, her 26 year-old neighbor was apparently seeking revenge on someone who stole his television. Instead, Police say Horne's anger and bullets were misguided toward Brittany.

"Over a TV? Over a stupid TV, that's replaceable? [Brittany's] not replaceable," sobbed her husband Carlos Rivera.

Now, after three killings in a four day span, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Police Commissioner William Fitchet are vowing not to rest and to use every resource available to win this war on violence.

Horne pleaded not guilty to murder at his District Court arraignment on Monday and is being held without the right to bail.

Funeral arrangements for Brittany are not yet complete and the family is struggling with the funeral costs. If you would like to donate, you can deposit money to June Perez at Citizens Bank in Springfield.