Police have identified the 34-year-old man who was shot shortly after 2 a.m. Friday in the city's Entertainment District as Gregory Lockhart of Manchester, Conn., who remains in serious condition at Baystate Medical Center. Police are seeking a possible second suspect in the shooting.
Updates a story published Friday, June 17, at 4:04 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD -- Police have identified the 34-year-old shooting victim injured around 2 a.m. Friday in the city's Entertainment District as Gregory Lockhart of Manchester, Conn., who remains in serious condition at Baystate Medical Center following an altercation near Stearns Square.
Police said Lockhart was rushed to the Springfield hospital shortly after 2 a.m. after being shot in the chest by Donte A. King, 25, a well-known local gang member who lives at 48 Wellington St. in the city's Upper Hill neighborhood.
Meanwhile, police are still searching for a possible second suspect, described as a 6-foot black male who was last seen fleeing the scene near Taylor Street. That suspect, whose possible role in the shooting remains unclear, had not been found as of early Saturday morning, according to Springfield Police Lt. John K. Slepchuk.
The gunfire erupted as swarms of patrons were exiting bars closing for the night in the downtown Entertainment District bordering Stearns Square. The shooting occurred near the hot dog cart stationed near the square, police said.
Slepchuk said he had not received an update on the status of Lockhart's health, who remained at Baystate early Saturday.
Officers patrolling the Entertainment District early Friday gave chase after King was seen running toward Taylor Street after the shooting.
King pitched a loaded gun into some bushes during the foot pursuit, police said. King was apprehended near 1607 Main St. by two off-duty U.S. Marines, who held him until police took him into custody.
Authorities said they recovered a loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun used in the shooting. Three of the weapon's nine rounds had been fired, according to Sgt. John M. Delaney, a spokesman for Springfield Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet.
Delaney said King's lengthy police record includes arrests for assault and drug charges, among other offenses.
Delaney said Lockhart was conscious and breathing after the shooting, but he refused to cooperate with investigators.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting, including the whereabouts of the second man seen fleeing the scene, to call them at (413) 787-6355. Anonymous tips also may be sent via text message to CRIMES (or 274637). The body of the message must be addressed with the word SOLVE.