Athol man will serve five years for non-fatal shooting

GREENFIELD – A Superior Court judge has sentenced Yamil Colon Nunez, 48, of Athol, to serve five years in state prison for shooting another man in the neck in November 2022.

On Dec. 13, in Franklin Superior Court, Nunez pleaded guilty to indictments charging him with assault and battery by means of a firearm; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury; armed assault inside a dwelling; assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm; unlawful possession of ammunition; and unlawful possession of a loaded firearm. This information was provided by the Northwestern District Attorney’s office.

Judge Karen Goodwin imposed a sentence of five years in state prison, followed by two years of probation. That sentence was jointly recommended by First Assistant District Attorney Steven E. Gagne and defense attorney David Simanski.

“This sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions, while also bringing a measure of justice to the victim,” said Gagne. “Today’s outcome would not have been possible without the thorough investigation by the Athol Police Department, particularly lead Detective Doug Kazmarczyk.”

The shooting, which happened inside a residence on Pine Street, resulted in the victim being hospitalized for a week. Two other people were inside the residence at the time of the shooting, but neither was injured.

The Athol Police Department investigated the shooting and obtained an arrest warrant for Nunez, who was located and arrested on Feb. 2. He has been held without bail since then under the state’s dangerousness statute.