2 Holyoke men charged with murder after stray bullet wounds pregnant woman, kills baby
HOLYOKE - Two men were charged with murder Thursday in a shooting that wounded a pregnant woman and left her baby dead in Holyoke.
Alejandro Ramos, 22, and 30-year-old Johnluis Sanchez, both of Holyoke, now face several charges in the shooting, including murder.
According to the Hampden District Attorney's Office, three men were in an altercation on Sargeant Street in Holyoke around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday when someone started shooting.
WBZ News obtained new surveillance video showing a brawl among three men outside a Holyoke corner store.
Customers are seen scurrying away in fear, as one man tumbles back into the store and lies down on the floor holding his leg, looking hurt.
Police say that fight escalated into gunfire and as a city bus passed by, a stray bullet hit an 8-months pregnant woman on the bus. Her newborn baby was delivered but tragically died at the hospital.
Thursday afternoon, an emotional Holyoke mayor recalled the moments he spent at the hospital with the family of the innocent mom-to-be who lost her baby in senseless street shooting.
"I couldn't think of anything else to do except to be there in care to try and convey the love of a city stunned by the unspeakable," said Mayor Joshua Garcia.
All three men were identified and two were arrested.
Ramos was arraigned Thursday on a murder charge. He was ordered held without bail and is next scheduled to appear in court on November 3. Sanchez is still in the hospital and will be arraigned on a murder charge when he his physically able. Both are also facing more charges in the investigation.
Investigators are still looking for the third man and they have not revealed his name.
The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations to support the family affected by the shooting. Checks can be made payable to the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, attn. Emergency Relief. Or Venmo @GrowHolyoke.
A peace march calling the community to 'drop the violence' has been planned for this Sunday at 12:30pm in front of City Sports.