Copyright berkshireeagle
PITTSFIELD — A suspect was arrested Thursday and charged with murdering 17-year-old Brodie Slonski. Jaequan Spratling, 18, of Pittsfield, is charged with killing Slonski. Spratling is scheduled to be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court at 2 p.m. on charges of murder and attempted armed robbery, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Police responded to a report of a single-car crash at Franco Terrace and Parker Street after 6 p.m. on Oct. 26. Slonski was unresponsive behind the wheel of a white Honda HR-V, which had crashed into a tree. First responders pulled Slonski from the car and discovered that he had been shot in the chest, according to DA's office spokesperson Julia Sabourin. Slonski was pronounced dead at Berkshire Medical Center. Slonski, of Pittsfield, was a senior at Taconic High School, where he studied metal fabrication. During his time at the school, Slonski was on the golf and bowling teams, and he more recently worked at Subway. Slonski's mother, Amy Slonski, said on WNYT that her son was quiet, yet witty, and that he enjoyed sports from an early age. His grandmother and aunt previously said he had a deep love for family, describing him as a "good kid." A memorial has sprung up around the tree where the teen was found shot. Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said in a statement following the student's death that she was "heartbroken," and that counselors were on hand to speak with students and staff. DA Timothy Shugrue, in a statement Friday, acknowledged the fear caused by the killing. “Brodie was murdered in the close-knit Morningside community. A community filled with families and small, locally owned businesses. The events that took place shook the neighborhood. I have always said that I have no tolerance for violence and guns in our community. Such events in the Berkshires are fortunately rare; however, when they occur, they shatter not only families but also schools and our community at large." "My heart is with Brodie’s parents and family. I vow that the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office will do everything in its power to bring those responsible for his murder to justice,” he added. Pittsfield Police Chief Thomas Dawley commended his officers for the work they put in to catch the suspect.
