A 10-year-old girl who was shot in Springfield, Massachusetts earlier this week tragically passed away Thursday morning, Hampden District Attorney’s office spokesman Jim Leydon told WWLP.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a statement, “As the father of two daughters, there are no words to express my feelings about this tragic loss of life. A brave and bright angel, 10-year-old Aubrianna Lynn has been taken too soon from her family. Let her legacy be a clarion call for all of us to redouble our efforts in her memory and do everything we can to end these senseless acts of violence. May God rest in her soul.”
Authorities said that on Monday afternoon Victor Nieves, 34, of Springfield, Massachusetts, forced his way into his neighbor’s home, shooting and killing her, and shot her granddaughters, leaving one of them in critical condition.
Nieves reportedly entered the front door of her neighbor’s apartment in the multi-family home they shared and shot the family, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said.
The neighbor, identified as Kim Fairbanks, 52, and a dog were killed. Two girls, ages 12 and 10, were also shot. The 10-year-old girl had been airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital, where she remained in critical condition.
His younger brother, 5 years old, was physically unharmed. All three children are Fairbanks’ grandchildren, the district attorney said.
Prosecutors say Nieves suffered a self-inflicted wound after committing the violence against the family. Investigators did not offer a potential motive for the shooting.
Police said most officers have not experienced a scene like this in their entire careers.
