South Hadley man fatally shot in attempted robbery

CHICOPEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

CHICOPEE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHICOPEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 04-19-2024 4:24 PM

CHICOPEE — A South Hadley man is dead following a shooting during an attempted robbery of a smoke shop and convenience store in Chicopee Thursday night, according to the Hampden district attorney’s office.

Robert Papalardo, 53, died after being taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield following the shooting. Chicopee police officers responded at around 6:30 p.m. to a report of an attempted armed robbery and shots fired on the 1200 block of Montgomery Street

Once at the scene, officers discovered two adult men, one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound. Initial reports found Papalardo was believed to have attempted to rob the store when the gun shots were fired, according to the DA’s office. He was taken to the hospital.

The incident remains under investigation by members of the Chicopee Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden district attorney’s office, and the Hampden district attorney’s office’s Murder Unit.

In a statement, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni extended his sympathies to Papalardo’s family.

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