State Police

Officials tour Devens public safety building

December 1, 2023 by pkzadmin

DEVENS — On Tuesday, MassDevelopment hosted federal, state, and military leaders for a walk-through of the future Devens public safety building, a $20.8 million state-of-the-art facility that will bring all local public safety operations under one roof.

Celebrating the ground breaking in October, the project is expected to be complete by the summer of 2025 and will create one facility to house the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District, the Devens Fire Department, and the State Police, which is contracted to provide police services to Devens.

State and U.S. Legislators, MassDevelopment officials and Devens Reserve Forces Training Area officials attended the walk-through on Tuesday.

“It was a pleasure to show our federal, state, and military leaders the progress already underway at the site of the new Devens public safety building,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “This facility looks to the future of Devens by bringing all of our first responders under one roof and delivering improved public safety services for our residents, employers, workforce, and visitors.”

MassDevelopment will be converting a partially-vacant, agency-owned building at 270 Barnum Road into a state-of-the-art public safety center for the Devens area, which the quasi-public agency was charged with developing into a mixed-use community in a way that stimulated the local and state economy.

“Devens is the premier driver of economic growth and vitality in North Central,” said state Sen. John Cronin. “The new Public Safety Building will ensure that Devens has the resources it needs to grow responsibly and continue to create opportunity for the region.”

The building previously housed a day care facility and private elementary school and has been partially vacant since 2019. Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District, which serves Devens and five other communities, currently occupies a small portion of the existing building.

Once complete, the new 30,745-square-foot full-service public safety building includes features such as a new apparatus bay to house fire and ambulance vehicles, modern living spaces for firefighters and an exterior tower to provide more opportunity for regular training exercises.

“The new Devens Public Safety Building represents an incredible investment in the safety of Devens and communities across the Nashoba Valley,” said U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan. “I’m proud of the $4.6 million federal Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program investment that helped make this MassDevelopment project possible.”

The new building will also feature solar panels and electric charging stations to help reduce the environmental footprint.

The current fire station at 182 Jackson Road was built in 1965, and an addition was built by the U.S. Army in 1987 to accommodate larger fire apparatus. Yet, the building is too small to meet the needs of the current fire department, with several pieces of firefighting apparatus and equipment stored outdoors or at other locations in the community due to space constraints within the building.

Other participants included state Rep. Dan Sena, a representative from Trahan’s office, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area official Keith Jackson, and staff from MassDevelopment’s Devens Operations and Real Estate divisions.

MassDevelopment is converting a partially vacant agency-owned building at 270 Barnum Road into a state-of-the-art facility that will house the Devens Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police, who provide police services in Devens under a contract with the agency, and the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District under one roof.

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the state. During fiscal 2023, MassDevelopment financed or managed 545 projects.

(Courtesy MassDevelopment)

Worcester State shooting suspect apprehended in NYC

November 4, 2023 by pkzadmin

WORCESTER — Fugitive suspect Kevin Rodriguez, 18, was finally located and captured in Brooklyn on Thursday on a warrant in connection with the fatal shooting at Worcester State University on Oct. 28, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. and the State Police.

He was wanted on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder and was taken into custody at about 7:40 a.m. on Nov. 2 in an apartment in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rodriguez, whose last known address was in Lawrence, was arrested without incident.

State Police announced earlier in the week that they were searching for Rodriguez as a suspect in the early morning fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man on the Worcester State University campus last Saturday, Oct. 28.

Responding to a 911 call, campus police first arrived at the scene and found two men with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to an area hospital. Police say the 19-year-old victim died from his injuries and the second victim, a 21-year-old man, appeared to have non-life threatening injuries. Their identities are not being released at this time.

Neither the victims nor the assailants were students of the University.

A group of local, state and federal law enforcement officials all worked in collaboration to locate and apprehend Rodriguez; this includes the Worcester Police, Worcester State University Police, State Police, the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, and State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney.

The investigation into the shootings at Worcester State University is ongoing.

The office of Worcester County District Attorney John Early, Jr. and the Massachusetts State Police both contributed to this article.

1 person dies after Worcester State University shooting, police ask for public’s help in investigation

October 28, 2023 by pkzadmin

A person died after a shooting at Worcester State University early Saturday morning, according to police who are asking for the public’s help in the investigation as the university canceled all events for the day.

Police responded to the double shooting at around 2:44 a.m. in the area of a parking garage.

Worcester Police and Massachusetts State Police patrols responded to the scene near Wasylean Hall and Sheehan Hall. Two gunshot victims were transported to UMass Medical Center.

One of the victims died, and the other underwent surgery, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Police arrested an individual close to the scene and recovered a gun. That person was charged with trespassing and possession of a firearm.

When asked whether that person was a suspect in the fatal shooting, Early said at a press conference, “Can’t get into that at this point. It is someone that left the scene, was located a short distance from the university.”

“This does not appear to be a random incident,” Early said. “The parties that were involved knew each other, from what we can ascertain at this point.”

“We’re asking for the public’s help with regards to any video,” he said, later adding, “We ask for the public’s help for any information at all, especially video, tips, anything that they saw, and anything that they might know.”

The victims and alleged suspects are not students of Worcester State University. The shooting was the result of an altercation and was not an active shooter incident, police emphasized.

Police have identified multiple “people of interest” who were seen on video at the scene.

The university instituted a shelter in place following the shooting, telling students to stay inside. Then the shelter in place was lifted at 9:28 a.m.

“The current shelter in place has been lifted. If you notice anything unusual/suspicious, please report to University Police 5089298911,” the university tweeted.

There was still a large police presence on campus, and the DA’s Office asked the public to avoid the area where police were investigating.

“Anyone with information, photos or video around the areas of Wasylean Hall and Sheehan Hall are asked to share it with Massachusetts State Police, University Police, and Worcester Police,” the DA’s Office posted.

The university was closed on Saturday, canceling all events on and off campus. That includes canceling homecoming and family weekend.

“Right now, we believe the campus is safe,” said Worcester State University Police Jason Kapurch, who called the shooting a “tragic incident on campus.”

Counseling is available to students following the campus shooting.

Massachusetts State Police searching for Gardner murder suspect Aaron Pennington: ‘Armed and dangerous’

October 23, 2023 by pkzadmin

Massachusetts State Police were continuing to search on Monday for an “armed and dangerous” Gardner murder suspect, as authorities asked for the public’s help in the investigation.

Police were looking for 33-year-old Aaron Pennington, who is wanted in connection with Sunday’s homicide of 30-year-old Breanne Pennington, of 42 Cherry St. in Gardner.

According to State Police, the 6’2″ tall white man weighing about 175 pounds is believed to be driving a white BMW 320, Massachusetts Veterans plate 8A30.

Pennington may have attached one of the following registrations to the white 2013 BMW 320 sedan: Texas plate: DTZ3103; or California plate: 6CWN728.

The 33-year-old man, with blond hair and blue eyes, might have a gun on him.

“He should be considered armed and dangerous,” State Police said in a statement. “Any member of the public who sees PENNINGTON or the vehicle is directed to not approach him but rather, to call 911 immediately.”

Police added, “Anyone with information about PENNINGTON’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Massachusetts State Police at 508-829-8236 or the Gardner Police Department at 978-632-5600.”

Shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday, Gardner Police were called to a Cherry Street home. Upon arrival, police found a dead woman, who was later identified as Breanne Pennington.

The investigation into the death is ongoing by State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Gardner Police Department.