Shortly before dawn on July 13, 2026, Sean Pendergrast, 49, was found in a wooded area off Parker Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he died. The death was ruled a homicide and the Springfield Police Homicide Unit, with the Hampden District Attorney’s Murder Unit, opened an active investigation.

Investigators arrested 29-year-old Elijah Salaam of Springfield and charged him with Pendergrast’s murder. Salaam placed the 911 call that brought officers to the scene, and a firearm was recovered there. Salaam was arraigned in Springfield District Court and held without bail; a further court date was set for August 13, 2026. No motive has been disclosed.

If anyone was in the Parker Street woods that morning or has information about Pendergrast or Salaam, please share what you know with the investigation.