In the late summer of 2017, the life of Rhakishon Marquis Pedraza, a 29-year-old Black / African American man, was tragically cut short on the streets of Springfield, Massachusetts. On the evening of September 8th, Pedraza was fatally shot in an alleyway situated between Union and Monroe Streets. This violent act marked the city's 12th homicide of the year.
The incident was reportedly captured on a school's security camera, providing crucial evidence for the ensuing investigation.
The investigation into Pedraza's death led authorities to Davon Kelly-Griffin. During his trial, Kelly-Griffin took the stand and recounted the events of that fateful night. He claimed to have been in the alleyway with the intention of purchasing something from Pedraza. Kelly-Griffin testified that Pedraza made a threatening statement and appeared to reach for a gun, prompting him to draw his own firearm and shoot rapidly.
In February 2019, a Hampden County Superior Court jury found Davon Kelly-Griffin guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Rhakishon Pedraza. The conviction brought a legal conclusion to the case, holding Kelly-Griffin responsible for the shooting that ended Pedraza's life. The Hampden District Attorney's Office prosecuted the case, expressing sympathy for Pedraza's family and friends as they continued to navigate their profound loss.
