Man Accused of Killing A Florida Man Held On Murder & Weapons Charges

Edward Jennings Jr. a Pittsfield man was arraigned Thursday in Berkshire Superior Court on murder and weapons charges after being accused of fatally shooting a man on North Street last spring.

Jennings is accused of killing Florida native Lemond Grady outside of the Family Dollar on North Street the evening of April 20. Grady was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. A ShotSpotter activation and multiple 911 calls alerted police about the shooting in the area of 631 North Street around 6:18 p.m. Jennings, who police said matched the description given by witnesses, took off on foot and was arrested on Lincoln Street.

Jennings and Grady knew each other and had gotten into an altercation prior to the shooting.
At the time of his death, Grady had an open District Court case in which he was accused of assaulting Jennings with a fire extinguisher and slicing his hand with a knife.

Police found Jennings with a handgun and wearing clothing that witnesses said matched that of the shooter not far away at First and Orchard streets, authorities said. Police found two shell casings near the scene of the shooting.

Prosecutors said allegedly, that Grady violated a court order to stay away from Jennings the month days before the shooting, and asked District Court Judge Jennifer Tyne to revoke Grady’s bail in the assault case and asked prosecutors to ensure Jennings’ presence in court at a hearing to reconsider the matter four days later. Jennings did not come to court, and Grady remained free on bail.

He pled not guilty before Judge Michael Callan yesterday on Thursday to charges of murder, illegal firearm possession, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. He remains held without bail.

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