Suspect charged in connection with pepper spray incident in Springfield

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the date of retirement originally issued by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A West Springfield man is being charged with nine counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after a pepper-spraying incident in Springfield last week.

According to Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh, at around 9:10 p.m. Thursday, August 3rd officers were called to the 100 block of Island Pond Rd for a disturbance. When officers arrived they found nine victims suffering from the effects of pepper spray

On Thursday night, 61-year-old Christopher Walker turned himself in at Springfield Police Headquarters.

22News has obtained court documents which state Walker allegedly walked up to a group of nine people, that included an ex-girlfriend, on the patio of Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant and began pepper spraying the group. He then left the bar as the victims scrambled to find relief.

Christopher Walker is a retired Major from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s department released the following statement:

“Christopher Walker retired from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office with the rank of Major in 2020. Two years ago, he began working on a limited basis as a civilian, reviewing inmate disciplinary investigations based on his years of experience. Following the allegations relating to the incident on August 3, Mr. Walker resigned that part-time position and no longer has any affiliation with the Sheriff’s Office.”