In the early morning hours of June 4, 2017, the life of 27-year-old Warren Devon Payne Jr. was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire outside the Kick Back Lounge on State Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. Patrons were leaving the establishment when the shooting occurred, leaving Payne, a Black male, fatally wounded. He was pronounced dead shortly after the incident.
The violence of that morning also claimed the life of another man, 31-year-old Chauncy Marshall, who succumbed to
his injuries on June 8. A third individual was also wounded but survived. The incident sent shockwaves through the Springfield community, highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence.
In the months that followed, investigators worked to identify those responsible for the double homicide. Their efforts led to the arrest of 26-year-old Demetrius Moore of Springfield in September 2017. Moore was taken into custody during a traffic stop when officers discovered an outstanding murder warrant. He was subsequently arraigned in Springfield District Court on charges related to the deaths of Payne and Marshall and was held without bail.
Warren Payne, known affectionately as "Ickey," was remembered as a fun-loving individual who was deeply devoted to his family and friends. A practical joker with a passion for basketball, he was also an entrepreneur, following in the footsteps of his late father. He was a beloved son, brother, and fiancée, and a father to three sons with another on the way at the time of his death. His family and friends mourned the senseless loss of a man known for his generosity and his commitment to his loved ones.
