Passerby Assisted Injured Officers in Knife Standoff
A Maynard man was arrested Wednesday after police said he threatened people at the Wilmington commuter rail station with a knife. Seth A. Mather, 28, allegedly injured two responding officers—slashing one– after being subdued by an off-duty officer, and is facing charges including assault with intent to murder.
The knife-wielding man was not arrested until a passing off-duty Concord Police officer intervened in a 25-minute standoff between Mather and two police officers, Tasing him, according to police. The Concord officer was returning from a SWAT training session in Billerica.
The injured officers said their pepper spray and less-lethal ammunition rounds had no effect on Mather. When they tried to disarm and arrest him, Mather slashed the arm of officer Paul Chalifour, a decorated 28-year Wilmington Police veteran, with the knife. The second officer, 25-year veteran Louis Martigetti, was injured slipping off a train platform during the pursuit.
Police said the altercation occurred after Mather slashed the tires of a car two people had locked themselves in to avoid him. They told police they didn’t know Mather, but he was “agitated’’ and yelling at them.
Following a hospital evaluation, Mather was charged with assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and malicious destruction of property. He’s being held until bail is determined, and is expected to be arraigned today in Woburn District Court.
Both officers were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries and are recovering.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com