Suspect sought for strip club murder

Date: 1/27/2009

By Ashlene Ferris

Staff Intern



SRINGFIELD Springfield police have identified Rodney Dyron Briggs, 27, as the man responsible for the murder of Jose E. Colon, 22, on Jan. 21 inside the Mardi Gras Lounge, 91 Taylor St.

Prior to the shooting, the victim had been involved in both verbal and physical altercations inside the bar, which investigators believe was a motive for the murder. The victim was shot in the head once and was pronounced dead an hour and a half later at Baystate Medical Center Emergency Room

Capt. Robert McFarlin and detectives of the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), Homicide Unit worked around the clock following the shooting. During their investigation, homicide detectives talked to witnesses, looked at survelliance cameras and also found the murder weapon with fingerprints in the area of the Mardi Gras.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Briggs, whose last known address is 107 Vadnais St. Briggs was described as black male, 5'7", 160 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, with a small scar above his left eye.

Briggs is considered armed and dangerous, and was a member of the Sycamore Street Posse.

He was arrested by Springfield Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacoo, Firearms and Explosives on Feb. 14, 2006 for cocaine trafficking. Briggs was arrested with several guns including a Mac-10, a high capacity firearm, and a .40 caliber handgun. Briggs has a long standing history with the Springfield Police Department and has been arrested for drug and weapons violations several times. Investigators believe that Briggs could possibly still be in the Western Massachusetts area.

For any information on the location of Briggs call the CIB at 787-6355 or 9-1-1. Springfield Police advise the public not to approcah this individual.