In the summer of 2026, the city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was rocked by a violent crime that claimed the life of 29-year-old Justin Crawford. On the evening of June 18th, shots rang out near the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street, leaving Crawford with fatal gunshot wounds. A second individual was also wounded in the targeted attack but survived after receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical center.
The incident prompted an extensive investigation involving the Pittsfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, as they worked to piece together the events of that tragic night.
The investigation quickly led authorities to identify a suspect: 35-year-old Terry Martizna of Lanesborough. On June 23, 2026, a warrant was issued for Martizna's arrest on a charge of murder. Law enforcement officials publicly identified him and warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach him. It was revealed that Martizna had a history of violent offenses, including a 2017 prison sentence for firearms charges that were connected to a probation violation for two counts of armed assault with intent to kill in 2015. The search for Martizna became a priority for law enforcement agencies in the region.
As of late June 2026, Terry Martizna remained at large, and the community was on high alert. The Pittsfield Police, along with their state and county partners, continued their search, appealing to the public for any information regarding his whereabouts. The case of Justin Crawford's death cast a somber shadow over the city, leaving friends, family, and residents awaiting justice. The narrative of this case, as it stands based on available information, is one of a life cut short by violence and a suspect who has so far eluded capture, leaving the final chapter of this tragic story unwritten.
