Springfield man’s in-custody death in South Bay jail ruled a homicide

The death of the Springfield inmate who died after an altercation with corrections officers at the South Bay House of Correction last year has been ruled a homicide, authorities said. 

Shacoby Kenny, 32, died at a hospital on Dec. 8, 2025, one day after the confrontation inside the Suffolk County jail. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Kenny died from “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to resuscitated cardiac arrest during physical restraint by correction officers,” the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which oversees the medical examiner’s office, said in a statement to Boston.com.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurs when the brain does not receive enough blood and oxygen, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

A homicide ruling by the medical examiner does not determine whether criminal charges will be filed, state officials said. Homicide is typically defined as the death of a person caused by another person.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office is investigating Kenny’s death and has not yet announced whether anyone will face criminal charges. 

“My prayers are with Shacoby Kenny’s family and loved ones as they continue to grieve,” Campbell said in a statement to Boston.com. “I know this finding may bring renewed pain and difficulty for those who loved him.” 

Campbell declined to comment further because of the active investigation. 

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the medical examiner’s ruling. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment beyond saying the investigation remains ongoing. 

Last December, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department said Kenny began exhibiting “erratic behavior,” physically attacked members of the custody staff, and ran around the unit before officers restrained him. 

After he was restrained, Kenny became unresponsive. Officers and medical staff administered CPR and other life-saving measures before Kenny was soon transported to a hospital, where he died the following day, the sheriff’s department said.  

Surveillance video obtained by The Boston Globe appeared to show Kenny confronting the correction officer before running through what looked like a cafeteria as officers pursued him. The video reportedly showed several officers surrounding Kenny near a stairwell before taking him to the ground. At least one officer appeared to throw punches during the struggle, the Globe reported. 

In May, Boston City Councilors Miniard Culpepper and Julia Mejia introduced a resolution calling for an independent investigation into Kenny’s death. The measure passed, urging the sheriff’s department and attorney general’s office to appoint an independent investigator to conduct a full review of the incident. 

Kenny had been held at the Suffolk County jail since February 2025 on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery on a person over 65, and assault with a dangerous weapon, authorities said. 

Kenny’s obituary described him as “full of life, curiosity, and energy.” He grew up in Springfield, and church, reading, and music played central roles in his life. 

“Coby faced challenges throughout his life, including mental health struggles that began in early childhood,” the obituary says. “Despite these challenges, he remained intelligent, expressive, and hopeful. He wanted more out of life, a job, a family, stability, and purpose. He longed to build a future and to be understood for who he truly was.”