Sheffield — An Ashley Falls woman who lives in the “quiet” residential neighborhood that was rattled by Tuesday evening’s (May 12) shooting said she did not hear the multiple shots that caused a man to be airlifted to Albany Medical Center with injuries to his abdomen, but said she was shocked that it happened in her “friendly neighborhood.”
Police still have not released the identity of the victim, and an Albany Medical Center spokesperson said that she could not release a status report, regardless, given that the patient was the victim of a crime.
The suspect or suspects are still at large, and the investigation is still pending, according to the Sheffield Police Department.
Priscilla Rueger, 82, has lived on the corner of Pine Lane and Clayton Road — just east of Route 7 — for more than 50 years, she said. She raised her children there, along with another elderly neighbor who still lives on the street. Rueger described the neighborhood as a haven for children and adults. “A nice country neighborhood.”
According to police, the shooting took place at 30 Pine Lane, said Rueger, which about 50 years ago was a trailer where a woman lived. Later the trailer was “turned into a house,” she added. Rueger said she had “never been in it” and didn’t know who lived there, though she saw cars going up and down the Lane.
The shooting victim was airlifted Tuesday evening to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. Photo: Ray Dumont
Rueger said she had been sitting outside on that warm evening when the shooting took place, and even had her windows open. “I can’t imagine why I didn’t hear the shots,” she said. “I can usually hear gun shots from miles away.”
She said she had gone inside to use the bathroom, and that maybe it was the bathroom fan that muffled the noise from outside. “All this happened when I was inside. Then police started to come.”
A neighbor who lives across Clayton Street heard the shots and came over to check on her.
“I did not see anything at all,” Rueger said. “And I’m kind of disappointed in myself that I wasn’t more alert.”
She described the neighborhood as an American dream. “Many, many years ago,” she said, “we made life long friends here.” She said there were around 36 children on the street, with “plenty of room to play baseball,” and children flooding out of the school bus every afternoon. “All the children called everyone’s grandmother ‘grandma’,” she added. Rueger said that while many familiar residents have remained, such as “children of parents who raised them here,” there are new families that she does not know.
“It’s strange to think of something like this happening in a peaceful, safe neighborhood where we all contributed…It just seems strange to have had it evolve this way. But that’s life. It was a great place to bring up children…one of those neighborhoods that you’re fortunate to live in. But those things change…it makes us old folks feel sad about our lovely peaceful place.”
A Massachusetts State Police evidence van departs Pine Lane after investigating the scene of the shooting. Photo: Heather Bellow
She commended local and regional law enforcement officials. “I felt like I was on a TV show, with all the police. But it was nice to know that they can get here so quickly and so efficiently. That’s encouraging to me. That’s helpful.”
Sheffield Police Chief Eric Munson said that the victim, who is in his forties, was shot at approximately 6:55 p.m. The man called 911, and Sheffield police along with Sheffield EMS responded to the scene within minutes. The Great Barrington Police Department, the Egremont Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and “multiple” law enforcement agencies from Connecticut also assisted, flooding the area in a search for the shooter.
“The investigation is being conducted along with members of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and the Berkshire County Sheriffs Office,” Munson also wrote.
Pine Lane is a narrow dirt road that cuts between two houses on Clayton Road, and leads to several properties, as well as the residence at 30 Pine Lane, at which there are no listed residents. A cluster of mailboxes for those homes sits at the top of the Lane on Clayton Road.
On Wednesday morning, several police cars and a large evidence van were seen leaving the scene.
“The event was determined to be an isolated matter and was no threat to the general public,” Munson added, but police are asking those with information about the incident call the Sheffield Police Department at 413-229-8522.
To contact Heather Bellow about this story, call 413-329-6871, or email her at hbellow@theberkshireedge.com.
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