Teen girl fatally shot inside home

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Police say an 18 year-old Springfield mother was fatally shot inside her home early Sunday morning by her neighbor. This latest murder is the third homicide in the city of Springfield in just four days.

The man charged with her murder, 26 year-old Daniel Horne, of 37 Wilmont Street, pleaded not guilty to murder in court on Monday. He was held without right to bail and is expected back in court on November 19.

According to a news release from Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney, police were first called to 55 Wilmont Street around 1:30 a.m. for reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found 18 year-old Brittany Perez with several gun shot wounds, including one to the head, inside her home on the first floor. Police said the shots were fired through the front window of her home.

Perez, who had a one year old son, was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where she died Sunday night.

Police determined the shooting began as a dispute with a neighbor over a stolen TV.  According to Sgt. Delaney, Horne believed a man involved in stealing the TV was in the home and opened fire, accidentally shooting Perez. Police arrested Horne and confiscated a .22 caliber rifle that was allegedly used in the shooting.

Sgt. Delaney told 22News the shooting set off a string of violent events.

Springfield Fire Department Spokesperson Dennis Ledger told 22News someone threw a Molotov firebomb at Horne's house, just hours after the shooting. Several officers were inside at the time, collecting evidence. No one has been arrested for the firebombing incident.

This latest murder is the third homicide in the city of Springfield in just four days.

On Thursday night, 23-year old Omar Gallegro was shot and killed in front of Christopher's Package Store on Main Street in Springfield. Police are calling this a drug-related shooting.

On Saturday, 24-year old Carmelo Adorno was killed after being shot four times while sitting in his car on Chapin Terrace in Springfield. Police are still investigating the shooting.