In the early evening hours of November 30, 2018, Virginia Rodriguez-Veras, a 34-year-old Hispanic female, was fatally wounded during an armed robbery at the Knox Street Market in Springfield, Massachusetts. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:30 p.m. when three men entered the market in what authorities described as an attempt to commit an armed robbery.
During the commission of the crime, gunshots were exchanged.
The owner of the market, who was the husband of Rodriguez-Veras, was struck by a bullet but survived his injuries. Tragically, Rodriguez-Veras was also shot and later succumbed to her injuries. The Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit, in conjunction with the Hampden District Attorney's Office's Murder Unit, immediately launched an investigation into the violent encounter.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officers were able to apprehend one of the individuals believed to be involved. Duryl Hale, a 22-year-old resident of Springfield, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. He was charged with armed assault with intent to commit robbery with a firearm, assault and battery by discharging a firearm, attempt to commit an assault and battery by discharging a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The investigation remained active as authorities continued to seek information regarding the other two suspects who were involved in the robbery and shooting.
