WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A woman was arraigned Friday afternoon in Springfield District Court on several charges, including assault with intent to murder, following a standoff with West Springfield Police.

Early Friday morning, West Springfield police officers working a construction detail found who they believe to be a homeless woman sleeping at the construction site. Investigators said, when they asked her to move, it led to a nearly hour-and-a-half standoff. The incident reportedly escalated, with Kristin Rechenberger allegedly getting ahold of an officer’s gun and firing it at police - barely missing them.

Rechenberger appeared before a judge Friday afternoon, charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery on a police officer. In court, it was revealed that a psychiatric evaluation was completed on Rechenberger. According to the doctor, she is suffering from severe mental illness and requires further evaluation.

Rechenberger will be held without the right to bail at a women’s facility in Chicopee until she can be transported to an available facility for further evaluation to determine whether or not she is competent to stand trial.

A preliminary date for a dangerousness hearing has been set for June 9, but that depends on when a bed becomes available and how the mental health evaluation progresses.

Western Mass News had a crew in the courtroom and will have the latest at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on ABC40

Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.