Suspect in Springfield officer-involved shooting appears in court

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The suspect injured in the officer-involved shooting in Springfield last week was in court Wednesday morning.

Yasir Fardan, 26, faced a judge after spending nearly a week in the hospital. He has now been identified as the suspect injured in officer-involved shooting on November 16. Springfield Police told Western Mass News that he stole a car that morning and when they located him and the car, a cruiser blocked him in to the driveway. They said when he started driving the car towards officers, they shot him in the elbow. He was arrested and charged with stealing the car and assault with the stolen car.

On Wednesday, his left arm was still in a sling as he sat in front of a judge for his arraignment. A judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and held him without the right to bail, pending a dangerousness hearing. He also scheduled a detention hearing as Fardan was on probation at the time of his arrest.

Western Mass News obtained court records that show Fardan was convicted of armed larceny and assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Those documents stated that the crime took place back in October 2020 and that the victim walked out of MGM Springfield casino and was outside the South End Market patio. The victim told police Fardan asked him for $10 and when the victim said no, Fardan punched him in the face and knocked him unconscious. That’s when he stole $260, his driver’s license, wallet, and empty bank check. He was out on bail when he allegedly stole the car and was involved in the shooting.

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office is conducting a use-of-force investigation, along with the Springfield Police Department, regarding the officer involved shooting.

Both the dangerousness hearing and detention hearing are scheduled for Monday.

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