Police: 15-year-old fended off home invader who stabbed his 71-year-old grandmother
Suspect James Gonzalez, 29, is facing a variety of charges, including assault to murder while armed on someone over 60.
When a 71-year-old woman in Orange was attacked and stabbed multiple times in her home Monday afternoon, her 15-year-old grandson was able to help fight the suspect off, according to police.The woman is reportedly in stable condition after a medical helicopter flight to the trauma center at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Orange police said in a press release. James Gonzalez, 29, who allegedly stabbed and punched the woman, is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or over, assault to murder while armed on someone 60 or over, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, home invasion, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery on a person 60 or over/disabled, according to the release.Gonzalez was arraigned in Orange District Court on Tuesday. He was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for an evaluation due to concerns over his competency. He’s being held without bail, and is set to return to court on Feb. 12, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.Orange police were called to Sunset Drive around 3:40 p.m. for a reported stabbing and found two people injured there, according to authorities.Via investigation, they found that Gonzalez allegedly went into the home, and began attacking the woman right away, according to the release. Her grandson was able to fend Gonzalez off, and get him out of the home. Gonzalez’s hand was reportedly injured.While police couldn’t give a motive for the attack, they said they believe it wasn’t random, and there isn’t a threat to the community, police said.
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