In the early hours of a summer morning in Springfield, Massachusetts, the life of Gary White, a 25-year-old Black / African American man, was tragically cut short. On August 10, 2023, at approximately 1:35 a.m., police responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 500 block of East Columbus Avenue. Upon their arrival, they discovered White suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was quickly transported to Baystate Medical Center, but his injuries proved to be fatal.
The Springfield Police Homicide Unit immediately launched an investigation into White's death, which was one of several violent incidents to shake the city that week. For a year, detectives worked the case, collaborating with various law enforcement agencies including the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Their efforts eventually led them to a suspect.
In August 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Jared Dewberry, 26, of Agawam. He was apprehended at his residence and faced multiple charges, including murder and several firearms offenses. At the time of the shooting, Dewberry had been out on bail for unrelated firearms charges.
Surveillance footage from the night of the incident showed both Dewberry and White arriving in the same vehicle. A struggle ensued between the two men, during which Dewberry drew a firearm and shot White twice. In August 2025, Jared Dewberry pleaded guilty to manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to serve 18 to 20 years in state prison for his role in the death of Gary White.
