On the morning of September 11, 2017, the body of 33-year-old Jafet Robles was discovered by parks department employees in Szot Park in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The Springfield resident had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was quickly ruled a homicide. Investigators believe Robles had arrived at the park around 9:00 p.m. the previous evening. His car was found with its doors open, and his keys, phone, and hat were on the ground nearby.
Some neighbors later reported hearing what they thought were fireworks the night he was killed.
Jafet Robles, a father of four, was a well-known and respected community activist and organizer for the Springfield chapter of Neighbor to Neighbor, a social justice organization. Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, he was described as a fierce and dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform, particularly ending mass incarceration. His work was deeply personal, fueled by his own experiences with incarceration as a young man. He was a regular presence at events focused on progressive causes and was remembered by friends and colleagues as an inspiration who fought for liberation for all.
The investigation into Robles's murder was launched immediately, led by the Chicopee Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's Office. Despite the ongoing investigation and public appeals for information, no arrests have been made in connection with his death. Years after his killing, authorities renewed their calls for public assistance, continuing to seek any information that might lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects. The case remains unsolved, leaving his family, friends, and the community he championed still searching for answers.
