HOLYOKE — Holyoke Police Department’s Interim Chief Isaias Cruz commended Officers Ashley Feliciano and Giovanni Abella for their bravery and swift action during a dangerous altercation on Dec. 28.
At approximately 1:40 a.m., Feliciano and Abella were monitoring a local establishment when a fight erupted at the intersection of High and Lyman streets.
The confrontation escalated when one individual, later identified as Erik Santiago, discharged a firearm at another person, missing him narrowly.
The officers quickly engaged, exiting their cruiser and sprinting towards the gunfire.
Santiago fled upon noticing the police presence, but Feliciano and Abella pursued and successfully apprehended him.
Along with taking Santiago into custody, they also secured the weapon used in the incident.
Santiago faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, unlawful discharge of a firearm near a dwelling, and possession of a firearm without an FID card.
Additional charges include possession of a Class A substance, receiving stolen property, possession of a large-capacity firearm and ammunition without FID, unlawful storage of a firearm, and disorderly conduct.
His bail has been set at $50,000, and he is scheduled for arraignment on Monday at Holyoke District Court.
