SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – An aide to Mayor Charles Ryan was found dead in his home Tuesday, the apparent victim of a shooting, police and the mayor’s office said.

Stephen C. Pegram, 32, a neighborhood liaison for the mayor’s office, was found inside his home at about 2 p.m., authorities said. Police were investigating.

Juan Gerena, the city’s community development director, told The Republican newspaper that Pegram had not reported to work on Tuesday and had not checked in by telephone.

Ryan went to the scene with his son, Timothy J. Ryan, who chairs the city police commission.

Prior to joining Ryan’s staff, Pegram had been a software consultant for the city schools.

AP-ES-02-15-05 1659EST