Crime

Teen charged in connection with stabbing outside Boston hotel

A witness reportedly told police the victim shouted "I don't know you" at his attacker during the Saturday afternoon stabbing.

By Abby Patkin

July 30, 2024

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A 19-year-old Mattapan man is facing assault charges in connection with a stabbing that occurred in broad daylight Saturday near the Liberty Hotel in the West End neighborhood of Boston. 

Kymani Walker was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Monday on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and armed assault with intent to murder. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Officers arrested Walker around 4 p.m. Saturday following a report of a stabbing near 215 Charles St., the Boston Police Department said in a news release. According to a police report, officers arrived at the scene to find a man lying on the sidewalk with multiple stab wounds to his torso. Boston EMS rushed the man to Massachusetts General Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police said witnesses provided a physical description of the suspect and indicated the direction he fled. According to the police report, one witness told officers she saw an altercation and observed the suspect assume a “fighting stance” as the victim attempted to back away. 

The witness allegedly told police the suspect “lunged at the victim with the knife several times” and that the victim shouted, “I don’t know you.” Police said two other witnesses told officers the suspect tried to grab a phone from the man.

Speaking during Walker’s arraignment Monday, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Corin confirmed the victim did not know his attacker, WHDH reported. 

According to the police report, officers broadcast a description of the suspect pieced together from witness statements and cellphone video of the incident. Massachusetts State Police troopers located the alleged suspect — later identified as Walker — in the area of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields, Boston police said. 

Walker allegedly had blood on his pants and one of his shoes when officers arrested him. According to the report, a witness also identified Walker as the suspect during a “showup.”

Walker’s attorney, Steven Topazio, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday morning. During Walker’s arraignment, however, Topazio maintained that his client did not stab the victim and asserted there was nothing to identify Walker as the suspect, WHDH reported.

“I’m not disputing … somebody was stabbed and this is a serious case,” Topazio said, per WHDH. “But you can’t now cast a big net and see who you catch in this matter.”

According to online court records, Judge Paul Treseler ordered Walker to undergo examination at Bridgewater State Hospital to determine his competence to stand trial. He is being held without bail. 

Walker is due back in court Aug. 16.