Robot aids in arrest of Springfield shooting suspect

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Springfield police tactical robot was used to assist in the search of a shooting suspect inside a vacant home.

According to the Springfield Police Department, on Tuesday officers were called twice to Washburn Street for a report of vandalism and then later for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers determined shots were fired from a vacant house that caused damage to another home where a juvenile victim was sleeping.

On Wednesday, officers received information that the shooting suspect later identified as 36-year-old LaJuan Lake of Springfield, returned to the vacant house. Lake’s police record showed that he had an outstanding arrest warrant and could be armed.

At around 1:10 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Emergency Services Unit, C3 Units, Ordinance Unit, K9 Unit, and Squad “B” officers arrived at the vacant home on Washburn Street. A tactical robot was used to search inside the home. Lake was arrested within an hour and 20 minutes without incident.

A large-capacity firearm was found on the second floor during a search by Springfield Police K9 Officer Eric Blair and K9 Flexx.

Lake is charged with the following:

• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Armed Breaking and Entering – Daytime for a Felony
• Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
• Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Stalking (Two Counts)
• Threat to Commit a Crime (Three Counts)
• Witness Intimidation
• Vandalize Property
• Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Building
• Attempted Assault and Battery with a Firearm
• Malicious Destruction of Property Less than $1200
• Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
• Default Warrant

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