Gun Culture And Society
DA: Belchertown Homes Struck by Stray Gunfire Tied to Granby Club
Investigation Links Gunfire Damage to Granby Bow and Gun Club
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Belchertown, Massachusetts
An investigation by the Northwestern District Attorneys Office has linked several incidents of stray gunfire striking homes in Belchertown, Massachusetts, to the nearby Granby Bow and Gun Club. The investigation began in April 2024 after multiple reports of gunfire hitting residential properties on Mountain View Drive, which continued into 2024. The first incident occurred on June 27, 2023, when a bullet shattered a glass door at 120 Mountain View. The following year, another bullet struck a sliding glass door at 147 Mountain View on March 29, and two bullets were discovered in a shed at 143 Mountain View on April 4, 2024. The DAs office, along with local and state police, conducted a thorough investigation into the incidents. The findings suggest that the bullets likely originated from the Granby Bow and Gun Club, which is located not far from the affected homes. The DA's report indicates that the lack of adequate backstops at the clubs long-shooting range, combined with the natural upward slope of the terrain, may have allowed stray projectiles to leave the range and strike residential properties. The DAs office concluded that the bullets likely came from the club during a sniper training session on March 29, 2024, the same day the bullet hit a home on Mountain View. Authorities found that the bullets recovered from the residences were of the same caliber used in the training session. The sniper training involved law enforcement officers from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, and the .30 caliber ammunition used during the training was a match for the bullets that damaged the homes. Despite these findings, the Granby Bow and Gun Club has vigorously denied responsibility for the damage. In a statement, the clubs attorney, Martha Dean, called the DAs report unprecedented and highly improper, asserting that it lacked both expert opinion and concrete evidence. The club previously conducted its own internal investigation and ruled itself out as the source of the stray bullets. They also emphasized that they have a long history of safety and peaceful coexistence with the surrounding community, claiming that the DAs report was an attempt to influence ongoing litigation. The investigation also raised concerns about the clubs cooperation with law enforcement. The DAs report states that while the club provided some information and videos, they did not allow authorities to conduct a full investigation or take measurements on the property. The report suggests that the clubs reluctance to fully cooperate could be a sign of obfuscation, hindering the investigation. The report also points to the broader issue of gun range safety, particularly in areas with residential neighborhoods. The Granby Bow and Gun Clubs lack of sufficient backstops at the long-shooting range creates a risk that stray projectiles could exit the property and cause damage or injury. This incident has raised questions about the safety protocols at shooting ranges and whether they are adequately protecting nearby residents from the dangers associated with high-powered rifles and long-range shooting. As the investigation continues, there is no indication that criminal charges will be filed against the club or any of its members. However, the issue is now at the center of a civil lawsuit filed by the homeowners against the Granby Bow and Gun Club, which claims that the clubs actions resulted in property damage and posed a serious risk to the safety of residents.