Gun Stolen From Enfield Used In Highway Shooting: MA State Police

SPRINGFIELD, MA — A gun stolen from Enfield was used in a shooting early Sunday morning on Interstate 91 northbound in Springfield, directly in front of a Massachusetts state trooper. The shooting victim is reported to be in "dire condition" at Baystate Medical Center, while three men involved in the shooting were eventually taken into custody.

Trooper Patrick Dolan was on patrol near Exit 6 at 1:03 a.m. when he witnessed a 2016 Honda Accord driving in the center lane alongside a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, which was in the right lane. The trooper "saw a firearm protrude from the passenger side of the Accord," then "saw and heard several gunshots fired at the pickup," Massachusetts state police spokesman David Procopio said.

The Honda fled from the scene and ignored Dolan's commands to stop, and a pursuit ensued onto I-391 in Chicopee, which ended with the Accord crashing into a guardrail. Three men emerged from the car and fled on foot into a wooded area, with two eventually surrendering at gunpoint, Procopio said.

Isaiah Fraticelli, 18, and Luis Cotto, 22, both of Springfield, were charged with armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm (two counts) and unlawful possession of ammunition. The third suspect, Keith Cotto, 24, of Springfield, was arrested on the same charges after troopers learned he was at Mercy Medical Center being treated for injuries believed to have been suffered during his attempt to evade capture, Procopio said.

Troopers located a loaded Glock 19 handgun inside the Accord, and canine units from state and Springfield police tracked from the car to an area a short distance into the woods. Troopers and officers located a loaded Taurus 9 handgun on the ground. Both weapons were documented and secured as evidence. The Glock was determined to have been stolen out of Enfield, though it is not certain when and from where the gun had been taken, Procopio said.