SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police have arrested two suspects in the Aug. 17 homicide of 29-year-old Commonwealth Avenue resident Nicholas Ruiz-Gomez.



The shooting, murder and home invasion was part of a robbery conducted at 90-92 Commonwealth Ave., Sgt. John M. Delaney said.



Police arrested Joseph Watkins, 23, of 120 Stafford St. shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday after a car chase in Springfield during which he allegedly assaulted seven police officers with a stolen car, Delaney said.



Ashton Hennessey, 21, of 78 Florence St., was arrested at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, Delaney said. Hennessey was arrested by detectives Robert Bohl and Mike Goggin of the Warrant Apprehension Unit as he was hiding under the rear stairwell at 86 Miller St. in Springfield, Delaney, aide to Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said.



Both suspects were charged with murder, home invasion and assault with intent to murder.



Watkins denied the charges during his arraignment Wednesday morning in District Court. He was ordered held without right to bail by District Court Judge William J. Boyle.



Hennessey, arraigned about an hour later while wearing what appeared to be a hospital gown, also denied the charges. He was also held without right to bail.



"Both Watkins and Hennessey are considered very dangerous criminals and Springfield is safer today with both these individuals off the street," Delaney said.



Police were summoned to 92 Commonwealth Ave. shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 17 for two victims with gunshot wounds. One victim, Ruiz-Gomez, was shot in the head; the other was shot in the leg.



Ruiz-Gomez succumbed to his injuries the following day and was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.



The killing was the second homicide in six days in Springfield. On Aug. 11, Antonio Gonzales died from a gunshot wound to the chest in the city's Bay neighborhood. Police said Gonzales was shot by 16-year-old Joshua Pena outside a Bay Street birthday party for a teenage girl.



State police, in wake of the August uptick in gun violence, agreed, at the request of Fitchet and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, to step up patrols.



A pre-trial hearing for Watkins, represented by lawyer Tracy Duncan, was scheduled for Nov. 2. Hennessey is represented by lawyer William J. O'Neil and will return to court on Oct. 31 for a pre-trial hearing.

Reporter Buffy Spencer contributed to this report.