‘You Stabbed Me?’ – DA Recounts Pittsfield Murder Victim’s Comment

On Friday, May 29th around 10 p.m., Pittsfield Police responded to a stabbing at 10 Hall Place. They found 36-year-old Jesse Gray suffering from a stab wound to his left side.

Officers and first responders did everything they could, but Mr. Gray was transported to Berkshire Medical Center and passed away that night. He leaves behind kids who no longer have their dad.

I spoke with Berkshire County DA Tim Shugrue about the case. Zyrus Jaynes has been charged with murder in Central Berkshire District Court and is being held without bail. According to the DA, Jaynes and Jesse Gray had no prior connection.

Witnesses say Mr. Gray simply pulled his car into the driveway at the multi-unit residence when Jaynes approached him aggressively. A quick altercation escalated, and Jaynes allegedly stabbed him. Jaynes took off but was arrested the next morning at the same address without incident.

This wasn’t Jaynes’ first run-in with the law. He had prior cases from summer 2025 - including Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, where bail was revoked on two separate cases.

DA Shugrue told me on air: “The decedent was incredulous - he was like, ‘you stabbed me?’ He was shocked at how stupid this was… over how quickly a car pulled into a driveway. He had kids and now those kids don’t have a father. It’s sad.”

When asked if Jaynes was remorseful, the DA said, “When he (Jaynes) was in the police station, I think he was remorseful, and I think he regretted it, he was emotional.”

He also added some commentary on society, "We gotta get back to civility, be nice to each other, say hello to your neighbors. When someone makes a mistake, don't jump down their throats and kill them."