Pittsfield man sentenced for gun possession

A Pittsfield man was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court on July 30 after entering a guilty plea to a weapon charge from 2023. Ryan Starbird, 20, was sentenced to two and half years in prison.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10)-- A Pittsfield man was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court on July 30 after entering a guilty plea to a weapon charge from 2023. Ryan Starbird, 20, was sentenced to two and half years in prison.

On July 20, 2023, police were called to The Berkshire Crossing parking lot on Hubbard Avenue. When police arrived on scene, Starbird was found with an illegal gun in his possession and was suffering from an injury to his hand. Another male in the car also was found with an injury to his groin.

Starbird was accused of firing the gun inside the car after an altercation started between himself and the other male occupant. According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, the two were fighting over a girl.

Both individuals were treated at the Berkshire Medical Center, where Starbird was placed under arrest. At the time of his arrest, Starbird was charged with five charges.

CHARGES:

• Illegal Possession of a Firearm
• Illegal Possession of a Loaded Firearm
• Assault and Battery by means of a dangerous weapon, causing serious bodily injury
• Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building
• Assault and Battery by discharging a firearm

On July 30, Starbird pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of a firearm charge. At sentencing, he was also sentenced to 12 years of probation following his release from prison.