SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — An escaped convict accused of shooting a Massachusetts barbershop customer to death and wounding two police officers has pleaded not guilty to murder and 15 other charges.
Tamik Kirkland entered his pleas from a wheelchair during his arraignment Friday in Springfield. He’s been ordered held without bail.
The 25-year-old Kirkland, who was serving time on weapons convictions, escaped from the state’s minimum-security prison in Shirley on April 25. Authorities say that five days later he wounded a barber and fatally shot a customer in Springfield, then opened fire on a state trooper and Springfield police officer.
Kirkland was shot six times during the shootout with police.
Authorities say Kirkland shot the barber because the man’s son allegedly shot and wounded Kirkland’s mother. The customer was an unintended victim.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press