Emotional day at Cathedral after murder

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Students at Cathedral High School returned to class on Monday, just over 24 hours after one of their star athletes, 17 year-old Conor Reynolds, was murdered in Springfield.

Reynolds was stabbed in the neck outside the Blue Fusion Bar & Grill on St. James Avenue late Saturday night. He died later at Baystate Medical Center.

Reynolds was a varsity soccer player at Cathedral High School, who many remember as a leader among his peers.

"He showed a lot of leadership, not only on the athletic fields, but in the hallways as well and in the classroom, " said Christine Judd, the school's athletic director.

Students arriving at school Monday morning looked somber as they tried to make sense of this senseless killing.

"When I heard about his death, I thought that's terrible. He was just a kid.  It made me sad that someone had to die like that, " said freshman Steven Young, who didn't know Reynolds personally.

Grief counselors were on hand for students throughout the day.

Principal John Miller said most students wanted to be with one another, but they made the counselors available in case students needed them.

Detectives are working around the clock trying to apprehend a suspect in the case. Sergeant John Delaney said there were many witnesses and they hope to make an arrest. Police are looking for a black male between 16 and 20 years old and about 5’ 7”. If you have any information, you are asked to call police.