Police say accused killer avenged shooting of mom

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Police say the man accused of shooting four people in Springfield, Mass., including two police officers, had escaped from prison to avenge the shooting of his mother.

Tamik Kirkland had been missing since Monday from MCI Shirley, a state prison about 42 miles northwest of Boston.

He is accused of taking part in at least three shootings, including one Saturday in which authorities say he shot two people, one fatally, in a barbershop and later shot two officers. State police identified the man fatally shot as 24-year-old Sheldon R. Innocent of Wilbraham.

Police say Kirkland was eligible for parole next February and escaped from prison after learning that his mother was wounded in a double shooting April 23. Police are investigating how the victims in the shooting Saturday may be connected to the shooting of Kirkland's mother.