Holyoke Police Department

08/27/2026

Update 3 Final Update:

Shortly before 1:00 p.m., the Holyoke Police received a 9-1-1 call. The caller stated they were in the bathroom and that someone had a gun in Holyoke High School. This caller did not identify themselves or follow instructions provided by dispatchers. The school was placed into lockdown.

Per protocol, officers at the school and assisting officers arrived and began to clear the building.

Officers found no evidence of a firearm inside the school.

Officers will continue to investigate this incident to determine where the call initiated from and attempt to determine the source. While this is an ongoing investigation, the early indication is that this was a swatting call. This type of call is when someone makes a deceptive 9-1-1 call in an effort to have a large law enforcement response.

When the police receive a call such as this, we always respond appropriately to ensure the safety of all students, teachers and staff until we are certain the building is secure.

There is no known immediate threat to the public or the students. We will coordinate with the school department for any additional presence at our schools in the upcoming days.

Unfortunately, in many incidents across the country similar to this, there are copycat calls that follow in the days and weeks after. We urge all parents to speak to their children about the consequences of posting any copycat version of these events on social media that may cause fear in our community. On behalf of Chief Keenan and the entire Holyoke Police Department, thank you.

Update 2: The Holyoke Police Department, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and School Officials will hold a media briefing at 2:30 p.m. today on today's incident.

Update on School Lockdown

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan stated, "Shortly before 1:00 p.m., the Holyoke Police received a 9-1-1 call mentioning that someone had a firearm in the High School. Per protocol, officers are currently responding inside the school, as the high school is currently in lockdown. There is no known immediate threat to the public or the students, and it is unclear at this moment if this is a swatting call. Officers will continue to investigate until the school is completely cleared and the source and/or location of the call is identified. The Holyoke Police will continue to provide updates to our families as we receive more information."

08/26/2026

Holyoke Police Officers Seize Loaded, Stolen Firearm and Drugs on Maple Street

Holyoke, MA – Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced that Holyoke Police Officers seized a loaded firearm, he**in, co***ne and other drugs on Tuesday morning.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. Tuesday August 25th, Holyoke Police Officer Andrew Gruska located a vehicle with two occupants trespassing in a parking lot at 378 Maple Street.

Officer Gruska, later assisted by Sergeant John Veit and Officer Thomas Spafford, located a loaded firearm, four bundles (40 bags) of he**in, co***ne, eight suboxone stripes, two gabapentin pills and a loose round of ammunition in the vehicle.

The firearm was reported stolen out of Bristol, Connecticut and was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.

The driver, Benjamin Santos, and passenger Alberto Munoz were both placed under arrest.

36-year-old Alberto Munoz of Springfield is charged with:
• Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
• Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Improper Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
• Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
• Possession of a Class A Drug
• Possession of a Class B Drug (Two Counts)
• Possession of a Class E Drug
• Trespassing with a Motor Vehicle

42-year-old Benjamin Santos of Holyoke is charged with:
• Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
• Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Improper Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
• Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
• Possession of a Class A Drug
• Possession of a Class B Drug (Two Counts)
• Possession of a Class E Drug
• Trespassing with a Motor Vehicle

08/23/2026

With the first day of school approaching, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan wishes students, teachers and staff a safe and happy school year and reminds drivers to be aware of school buses, crossing guards and students who will be back on our roads beginning Monday.

Classes are set to resume on Monday for thousands of students, prompting the Holyoke Police Department to issue safety reminders to drivers as school buses return to local roads.

08/18/2026

Victim Identified, Arrest Made in High Street Shooting in Holyoke

August 18, 2026 – Holyoke, Massachusetts – Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has identified the victim involved in a fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday morning in Holyoke.

At approximately 2:23 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, Holyoke Police officers responded to the area of High and Cabot streets for a ShotSpotter activation. Officers arrived and located an adult male gunshot victim in the parking lot a business. Officers began life-saving measures before the victim was transported to Baystate Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim has been identified as Alexis Colon, 47, of Holyoke.

Investigators have since arrested Jose Lopez-Rivera, 36, of Holyoke, in connection with the shooting. Lopez-Rivera has been charged with murder, illegal possession of a firearm, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. Lopez-Rivera is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

District Attorney Gulluni commends the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to his office and the Holyoke Police Department for their round-the-clock efforts to identify, locate, and apprehend the suspect.

The incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Holyoke Police Department.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni extends his condolences to the victim’s family.

08/18/2026

Holyoke Police Arrest Stabbing and Domestic Assault Suspect

Holyoke, MA – Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced that Holyoke Police Detectives arrested a suspect wanted on three outstanding warrants.

On Monday August 17th, Holyoke Police Detective Sergeant Dustin Summers received information about the whereabouts of a wanted suspect, Luis Campos. Campos had three active arrest warrants.

Detective Sergeants' Summers and Michael Whelihan, along with Detectives John Wagner and William Lebrun located Campos at an apartment on Elm Street and placed him under arrest.

On July 22nd, Campos allegedly stabbed an adult male victim on High Street, which led to Detectives being granted a warrant for his arrest. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

On Saturday July 25th, officers responded to the Budget Inn for a report of a domestic assault with Campos as a suspect. Officers and troopers attempted to locate the suspect, but were unable to locate Campos until Monday. This led to a third warrant being requested and granted for his arrest.

37-year-old Luis Campos of Holyoke is charged with:
• Arrest Warrant
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
• Arrest Warrant
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Assault & Battery on a Family/Household Member
• Arrest Warrant
- Shoplifting by Concealing Merchandise

08/13/2026

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan commends his officers, detectives and supervisors for their hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe.

Overall crime in Holyoke fell 7.5% during the first half of 2026, with significant decreases reported in aggravated assaults, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts.

08/11/2026

Holyoke Police Officers Arrest City Hall Theft Suspect

Holyoke, MA – Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced that Holyoke Police Officers arrested a suspect in a City Hall Annex Building break-in and recovered keys to the building that were reported stolen.

Around 3:30 p.m., on Saturday August 8th, Officers Samantha Cayer and Edward Guerrero responded to the City Hall Annex Building for a report of a breaking and entering.

A security officer informed officers that he heard a noise and saw a suspect walk out of the building towards Suffolk Street. The security officer also provided a photograph of the suspect.

Officers located the suspect, later identified as Jaime Suarez, inside the McDonalds on Maple Street. Officers placed Suarez under arrest.

Detective Jared Hamel then located multiple keys in the suspect’s pocket.

The security guard informed officers he found an unsecured door in the fourth floor. Officers returned to the City Hall Annex and used the keys seized from Suarez to unlock and lock the door on the 4th floor.

In July, officers received a report of keys being stolen from the Annex Building.

35-year-old Jaime Suarez of Holyoke is charged with:
• Breaking and Entering into a Building – Daytime for a Felony
• Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200

08/05/2026

Three New Holyoke Police Officers Sworn In at City Hall

Holyoke, MA - Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan along with with Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia welcomed three new police officers in a swearing-in ceremony at city hall Monday.

City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary swore in Officers Michael Pepe, Sean Skelton and Noah Will.

The three new officers graduated the MPTC Holyoke Police Academy on Friday.

Born and raised in Holyoke, Officer Pepe holds an associates degree in Criminal Justice from Holyoke Community College. He was also the Guidon Bearer for his Academy Recruit Class. Pepe most recently worked as a security officer at MGM Springfield.

Officer Skelton is also born and raised in Holyoke. He was a longtime letter carrier for USPS in the city prior to becoming a police officer. His late grandfather, Harold Skelton, was the Holyoke Police Chief from 1978-1988.

Officer Will, Vice President of his recruit class, holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University with a minor in psychology. Prior to becoming a police officer, the Holyoke resident was a registered behavioral technician for children with autism.

08/04/2026

Holyoke, MA - On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Old Navy at the Holyoke Mall hosted a Coffee with a Cop event in collaboration with the Holyoke Police Department.

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan attended the event along with Holyoke Police Officers and Detectives.

Chief Keenan states, “This event provided a valuable opportunity for our Holyoke Police Officers to engage with members of the community in a relaxed and welcome setting, discussing topics affecting the community while building positive relationships with officers. These events strengthen community partnerships and reinforce a shared commitment to public safety and trust. I’d also like to thank Old Navy for their partnership and hosting today’s Coffee with a Cop.”

08/03/2026

Join Holyoke Police Officers, tomorrow Tuesday August 4th from 10AM - 11AM at the Holyoke Mall Old Navy for Coffee with a Cop!