Springfield Police Arrest Suspect after Six-Hour Standoff

Springfield Police Arrest Suspect after Six-Hour Standoff  

Springfield, Mass. — At approximately 5:55 a.m. on Thursday June 5th, Springfield Police Officers under the direction of Lieutenant Eugene Roux arrested 62-year-old Victor Velasquez after he barricaded himself inside an apartment on Byers Street.  

Around 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday June 4th, officers responded to an apartment on the 0-100 block of Byers Street for a domestic disturbance involving an attempted arson.  When police arrived, the suspect, Velasquez, had left but later returned armed with a knife.  Officers returned to the scene as Velasquez barricaded himself inside the apartment. 

During this time, Springfield Police Detectives applied for and were granted a warrant for his arrest.  

The Springfield Police Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) were called to the scene to assist.  Around 5:55 a.m., after a six-hour standoff, members of the ESU entered the apartment and located Velasquez unresponsive.  ESU members administered Narcan to Velasquez and he was transported to Baystate with lingering effects of an unknown drug overdose.  

62-year-old Victor Velasquez of Springfield is charged with:

• Arrest Warrant
  - Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Two Counts)
  - Arson
  - Witness Intimidation
  - Armed Breaking and Entering at Night for a Felony Leaving a Person in Fear