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Elian Arroyo, of Springfield, died June 28 after he was shot near the intersection of Ashmun and Adams streets. Paramedics rushed him to Baystate Medical Center, where he later died, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday.
Elian's family wrote in his obituary that he was a loving son, brother, and friend who brought "warmth and laughter to (his friends and family's) days, and the void left by his departure will be felt profoundly."
Elian had a passion for softball and found great joy on the field. His dedication and talent were evident to all. His favorite number, 34, symbolized his determination and commitment to the game. Elian was also an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, cheering for his favorite team with unwavering loyalty.
Tyre Shakespeare, 21, of Springfield, was arrested over the weekend and charged on Monday with killing Elian Arroyo and shooting another woman who was celebrating at the same birthday, police said. She showed up at Baystate Medical Center after Elian because a bullet grazed her head.
Shakespeare is charged with:
- Murder
- Assault and battery with a firearm
- Carrying a loaded firearm without a license (2 counts)
- Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building
- Firearm-armed kidnapping (3 counts)
- Home invasion (3 counts)
- Assault with a dangerous weapon
- Larceny under $1,200
At the time of his arrest, Shakespeare was out on bail on armed home invasion charges for an incident police say happened on Olney Avenue in December 2020, authorities said. He is also alleged to have fired a gun at one of the victims during the attack.
It's unclear what sparked the shooting last week, but Springfield police officials and the mayor said the killing was "completely avoidable" because Shakespeare should have been in jail. He was out on bail despite having cut off his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor twice before. The last time was a month before the shooting, authorities said.
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