September 23, 2025 – Springfield, Massachusetts – A shooting inside Springfield’s Saga Nightclub on May 29, 2022, left 30-year-old David Carrasquillo of Springfield dead from a single gunshot wound to the head. Last week in Hampden Superior Court, Brandon Murray, 38, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to three separate indictments, including Voluntary Manslaughter in connection to Carrasquillo’s death, and accepted a global sentence of 18–20 years in state prison before the Honorable Judge David M. Hodge.

On May 29, 2022, at approximately 10:42 p.m., Springfield Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at Club Saga on Worthington Street. Officers discovered Carrasquillo lying outside the men’s restroom suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

Investigators secured the scene and began reviewing surveillance footage, which showed Murray entering the club earlier that evening. Video captured the victim entering the men’s restroom, followed moments later by Murray. Seconds later, the door flew open in what appeared to be a violent struggle, and Carrasquillo collapsed outside the restroom. The shooter then stepped over the victim and exited the club, appearing to conceal a firearm under his shirt, before fleeing to a white Chevy Cruze registered to a friend. Detectives later recovered fingerprints and documents belonging to Murray from the car. He was identified by multiple detectives familiar with him from prior arrests and was ultimately taken into custody at Rikers Island Correctional Facility on June 30, 2022.

At the time of the fatal shooting, Murray had two open warrants. On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, Murray pled guilty to:

• Indictment 22-0365: Voluntary Manslaughter (15–17 years, from and after other indictments),and Carrying a Firearm without a License (3 to 3 years and a day, concurrent).
• Indictment 19-0526: Distribution of Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3 to 3 years and a day).
• Indictment 21-0062: Carrying a Firearm without a License (3 to 3 years and a day, concurrent).

The victim’s family was present for the plea and delivered three powerful victim impact statements, supporting the resolution and sharing their enduring grief.

“This outcome delivers justice for David Carrasquillo and his loved ones while ensuring Brandon Murray is held accountable for the violence he committed,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Gun violence continues to devastate families and neighborhoods in our community. My office will not relent in our work to hold perpetrators accountable and make Hampden County safer.”

The Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit, under the direction of Captain Trent Duda, investigated this case in conjunction with the Hampden District Attorney’s Murder Unit.

The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Green, Peter Gallucci, David Sheppard-Brick, and William Joyce, with Lauren Counter serving as Victim Witness Advocate.