May 19, 2026 – Holyoke, Massachusetts – Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has announced that a juvenile male indicted as a youthful offender has been sentenced in connection with a shooting incident that occurred inside the Holyoke Mall on July 25, 2025.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to five years to five years and one day in state prison on two counts of assault with intent to kill.

Additionally, the defendant received concurrent state prison sentences of two and a half years to three years on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm without a serial number. The defendant was also sentenced to probation through July 26, 2032, on two counts of attempted assault and battery with a firearm.

As conditions of probation, the defendant was ordered to stay away from the victims and the Holyoke Mall, possess no firearms or dangerous weapons, and attend school, work, or obtain a GED.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on July 25, 2025, Holyoke Police Officers working a detail assignment inside the Holyoke Mall approached the defendant after a mall security officer observed an alleged shoplifting incident. During the encounter near the Round One entrance, the defendant produced a firearm and discharged a round in the direction of officers. One officer returned fire, striking the defendant in the leg.

“This defendant’s reckless and violent actions endangered law enforcement officers, mall employees, and innocent shoppers,” said Gulluni. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of bringing a loaded firearm into a crowded public place and opening fire. We are grateful no innocent individuals were injured and commend the responding officers for their professionalism and courage during an extremely dangerous situation.”

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan stated, “I would like to thank Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and ADA Curtis Frick who did a tremendous job prosecuting this case. When a police officer is shot at, there must be severe consequences, so a situation like we witnessed in Cambridge doesn’t repeat itself. I commend the Judge for his ruling. The mall should be safe haven for all our visitors and its employees. This suspect’s brazen actions put our officers and mall patrons in a potentially deadly situation. I would also like to applaud our officers involved for their professionalism and poise during this incident.”

The case was investigated by the Holyoke Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney Curtis Frick and Victim Witness Advocate Cassidy Dill.