Pittsfield Man Charged With Assaulting Two with Handgun

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a standoff, a city man was arrested and charged for allegedly threatening and striking two people with a handgun over the weekend.

Solomon Jones III, 32, of Pittsfield has been charged with assault and battery, threat to commit a crime, and carrying a firearm and ammunition without a license.

Police were dispatched to a multi-family unit at 10 Francis Ave.  at about 7:40 p.m. on Sunday for a report of a person with a firearm. Upon arrival, officers said they encountered two people with facial injuries.

"Those parties reported that an altercation had occurred in the parking lot involving a party who then fled the scene and ran into one of the nearby apartments. That party was later identified as Solomon Jones III, age 32 of Pittsfield," according to a press release by Capt. Matthew Hill

"Mr. Jones had allegedly pulled out a handgun on the victims and began making threats. He subsequently struck both victims in the head with the firearm and kicked one of them while they were on the ground."

Jones was reportedly located inside the apartment and was ordered to come out, which he refused.



"After an initial standoff, entry was made and Jones was placed under arrest," Hill wrote. "A firearm was recovered from inside the apartment and seized by officers as evidence. The victims were transported to Berkshire Medical Center where they received treatment for their injuries."

Jones is being charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, threat to commit crime,
carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card, and improper storage of a firearm.


Tags: firearms,   

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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