Massachusetts State Police searching for man wanted in shooting that killed unborn baby

The Massachusetts State Police have added 28-year-old Kermith D. Alvarez to their Most Wanted list. Alvarez is the third assailant wanted for last week’s shooting that killed the unborn baby of a Holyoke woman.

On the afternoon of October 4, 2023, the Holyoke Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of Sargeant and Maple Streets. A subsequent investigation by Holyoke Police Detectives and the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County determined that three males were involved in an altercation in which gunshots were exchanged. A pregnant woman who was a passenger on a transit bus in the immediate area was struck by a bullet that killed her unborn baby.

Two of the three suspected assailants were previously taken into custody. The third has been identified as Alvarez. An arrest warrant charging him with Murder, with full extradition authorized, was sought and obtained from Holyoke District Court.

Massachusetts State Police say that Alvarez is actively avoiding law enforcement, the firearm used in this incident has not been recovered, and he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Alvarez is 5’6” tall and approximately 230 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has gone by the alias Kermith Vargas.

Anyone who sees Alvarez or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873) or call 911.

The homicide of the baby is being prosecuted by Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.