Victor Nieves, 34, of Springfield, is believed to have killed Kim Fairbanks, 52, of Springfield, at 174 Berkshire Ave. just after 2:30 p.m., the Hampden District Attorney's Office said. Fairbanks' three grandchildren — ages 12, 10, and 5 — were also in the home at the time of the attack. Two were seriously wounded.
The 10-year-old girl remains in critical condition after being airlifted to Boston Children's Hospital. The 12-year-old girl who was shot is in stable condition at Baystate Medical Center. The 5-year-old boy was unharmed in the attack.
Police said they found the family's dog also killed next to Kim Fairbank's body.
Investigators said Nieves lived upstairs in the multi-family home and forced his way inside firing. Police do not know what sparked the rampage that left two dead and two gravely wounded, officials said.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni called the killings "unequivocally one of the most heinous and cowardly acts to which I’ve had to bear witness."
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