SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit detectives have identified and sought charges for the second suspect in connection with a Jan. 23 shooting on Fernald Street, where two undercover detectives were shot at more than a dozen times and their unmarked cruiser was struck.
Derek Johnson Sr., 48, who was previously arrested in connection with the incident, will now face additional charges.
Johnson Sr. is currently being held at the Hampden County Correctional Center after being deemed dangerous at a hearing.
He will be arraigned on new charges, including two counts of firearm-armed assault to murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of malicious destruction of property over $1,200, two counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), carrying a loaded firearm without a license, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes.
Johnson Sr. was arrested on Jan. 30 at the La Quinta Hotel on Congress Street and initially charged with cocaine trafficking (100-200 grams), possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug, and an arrest warrant for possession of a firearm without an FID card, receiving a firearm with a defaced serial number, improper storage of a firearm, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.
The warrant was connected to the Fernald Street incident.
Johnson Sr. was arrested alongside Dwayne Johnson.
Detectives seized more than 100 grams of cocaine and marijuana from the hotel room.
Dwayne Johnson is the other suspect alleged to have shot at the undercover detectives.
Around 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 23, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit were conducting surveillance on Fernald Street when they were shot at more than a dozen times.
No officers were injured, but their unmarked cruiser was struck.
Detectives believe the suspects did not know they were shooting at police.
The incident prompted a two-hour search for suspects in the North Branch Parkway area.
Later that evening, detectives located a suspect, identified as Christopher O’Bara, at a home on the 0-100 block of Lancaster Street.
A search warrant was executed, leading to the seizure of a large-capacity firearm, shell casings, loose ammunition, more than 30 suspected stolen keys or key fobs, a stolen license plate, and other stolen documents.
Auto-theft detectives are investigating the recovered items, and additional charges may be filed.
O’Bara was arrested around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 24.
Detectives also executed a search warrant at a home on Fernald Street, where a second firearm was seized.
On Jan. 24, officers located a third firearm near Jennings Street, within the search area.
Around 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 25, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit, under the direction of Sgt. David Robillard, arrested Damian Scott, 20, on the 200 block of Carew Street.
Scott was under investigation for his alleged role in the incident and is also a suspect in numerous car thefts.
At the time of his arrest, Scott had four outstanding warrants for auto-theft and a warrant for cocaine trafficking.
A 17-year-old juvenile male was also arrested on Fernald Street on Jan. 30 and is facing firearms charges.
Since these arrests, auto-thefts and car breaks in the city have decreased by 42% compared to the beginning of the year.
