Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has announced that a Massachusetts man was sentenced following his conviction on charges stemming from an October 2023 shooting in Holyoke that resulted in the death of an unborn child.
A Hampden County jury found Johnluis Sanchez, 33, of Holyoke, guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter, Illegal Carrying of a Firearm, and Illegal Carrying of a Loaded Firearm.
Sanchez was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in state prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and four to five years in state prison for Illegal Carrying of a Firearm, to be served concurrently. He was also sentenced to two and a half years in the House of Correction for Illegal Carrying of a Loaded Firearm, to be served on and after the sentence for Illegal Carrying of a Firearm.
The charges stem from an October 4, 2023, shooting on Sargeant Street in Holyoke. Evidence presented at trial showed that Sanchez and Alejandro Ramos, 25, of Holyoke, were waiting outside a market for Kermith Alvarez-Vargas, 31, of Holyoke. When Alvarez-Vargas exited the market, Sanchez attacked him with a firearm. Alvarez-Vargas, who was also armed, responded, and gunfire was exchanged among the three men.
During the exchange of gunfire, a stray round struck a passing PVTA bus and hit Saszkiana “Selena” Santana, 32, of Holyoke, who was approximately eight months pregnant at the time. The gunshot resulted in the death of her unborn son, who was posthumously named Ezekiel.
At Sanchez’s sentencing, Santana delivered a victim impact statement describing the lasting impact of the shooting and the loss of her son.
“I pray Ezekiel’s name becomes a reason to choose life, to put the gun down, to walk away, and think about the people who will suffer long after the moment has passed,” Santana said.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said, “Ezekiel should be alive today. His mother and his family should not have to carry the lifelong consequences of a senseless exchange of gunfire among individuals who chose to bring firearms into a conflict. Selena’s words are a powerful reminder that gun violence reaches far beyond the people who choose to engage in it. Innocent people, families, and entire communities are left to live with the consequences.”
The District Attorney went on to say, “Legally, this case presented many challenges that our team, led by ADA Matthew Green, surmounted with their skill and commitment to justice, particularly for baby Ezekiel and his family. I thank them for this hard work and perseverance.”
Sanchez was the first of three co-defendants to stand trial. The case against Kermith Alvarez-Vargas is currently scheduled to begin on November 4, 2026.
The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Green, David Sheppard-Brick, and Hilary Sullivan, and Victim Witness Advocate Jane Chevalier
