On July 30th, Ryan Starbird (20 years old, Pittsfield) entered an unagreed plea of guilty and was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court by the Honorable Judge Agostini. The case stems from a 2023 incident in a parking lot at the Berkshire Crossing shopping plaza in Pittsfield. The Defendant had an illegal firearm in his possession when he got into an altercation with another male within Starbird’s age range. The two men were fighting about a girl. During the altercation, the Defendant’s gun discharged, and he (Starbird) sustained an injury to his own hand. The victim sustained an injury to his groin. The Defendant did not have a license to carry a firearm.
CHARGE(S): SENTENCE:
Illegal Possession of A Firearm 2 ½ years House of Corrections
Illegal Possession of A Loaded Firearm 3 years’ probation from and after jail
Assault & Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon – Causing Serious Bodily Injury 3 years’ probation from and after jail
Discharging A Firearm Within 500 Feet of A Building 3 years’ probation from and after jail
Assault And Battery By Discharging A Firearm 3 years’ probation from and after jail
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office does not tolerate illegal possession of firearms. The Commonwealth requested an extended sentence with 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections for the first count, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, and 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections on and after the first count. Defense requested 1 ½ years in the House of Correction followed by probation.
Law enforcement and emergency responders included the Pittsfield Police Department; the Dalton Police Department; and Action Ambulance. Both individuals were treated for their wounds at Berkshire Medical Center.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.