A 20-year-old is dead, and a 17-year-old is in critical condition after police say they were stabbed Friday night following a fight on the Town Common in the Whitinsville section of Northbridge, Massachusetts.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said the 911 call came in just before 9:30 p.m., and two stabbing victims were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center, where one succumbed to their injuries. Neither has been identified.
“Northbridge Police responded to what can only be described as a chaotic scene at the time,” Early said.
There appears to have been an altercation involving several people on bikes. A weapon was found on scene.
SkyRanger captured the scene as police and firefighters responded to the incident in the area of Church Street. The scene was roped off with police tape as investigators processed evidence all night until clearing and reopening the road around 6 a.m. Saturday.
Authorities said a 17-year-old is in custody and expected to be arraigned in court on Monday. His name cannot be released due to his age, so attorney information was not available.
Local
People who live in Whitinsville, a village in Northbridge near the Rhode Island border, say this is a quiet area. They couldn't believe when police were called to a double stabbing near town hall.
"I mean we are a country bumpkin town," said Daniel Gosselin, who has owned a barbershop on the street for 36 years.
While the news was disturbing for residents, Gosselin says where it happened is not entirely surprising. He claims there can be trouble in the town park.
“They’re behind my building a lot of the time – these young kids that hang around,” said Gosselin, who owns D.L. Cutters Barbershop.
Gosselin said he was relieved to hear police had made an arrest but it was upsetting to hear the suspect is 17.
“We’re getting sick of watching kids be delinquents,” he said.
Police are assuring everyone that they are not in any danger. There will be an extra police presence near the town common, however.
“People I’m sure are on edge but that’s why we’re here to tell you this was an isolated incident," Northbridge Police Chief Timothy Labrie said.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
