1 dead, 1 critically wounded in stabbing on Northbridge Common

NORTHBRIDGE — One person is dead and a second in critical condition from stab wounds Friday night in the Town Common, said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. during a Saturday morning press conference at the Police Department.

Both victims are male, 18 and 19, said Early. Their names haven’t been released. A juvenile is in custody and is expected to be arraigned Monday in Worcester Juvenile Court.

A charge of assault with a dangerous weapon could be upgraded to more serious charges, said Early. State Police assigned to the District Attorney's office assisted Northbridge Police in the investigation.

Described by Early as a “chaotic scene,” four men — all Northbridge residents, according to Northbridge Police Chief Timothy Labrie — were involved in the altercation and knew each other, according to authorities. One pair approached a second pair, said Early, and it was the second pair that had a knife.

The deceased suffered a single stab wound, said Early, and was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results from the state medical examiner and didn’t disclose where the second victim is recovering.

Police received a 911 call at 9:25 p.m. Friday of unrest at the Common, where Early said is a known gathering spot for young people. Early refuted reports that a gun was found at the scene, calling what was located as possibly being a BB gun.

“This is a small town. We don’t see this too often,” said Early.

Town residents are “on edge,” said Labrie, and patrols will increase at the Common, where vandalism is typical and "moving kids along." Signs were posted before the deadly altercation that prohibit trespassing at the Common after 9 p.m.

'A lot happening' in Northbridge

Colby Bartels, 28, was at the Common Saturday afternoon, taking in the sunshine.

"For the past year in this town, a lot has been happening," he said, including a stabbing last October, fights and a lot of people hanging out and drinking. "It feels like (Northbridge) is turning into a little city. This (Common) is a good public space, and you should be able to feel safe here."

Carol Marin lives near the Common, and said she heard police sirens when the deadly fracas happened Friday night. "People say it can't happen here, but it does. You just don't know these days."

Millie and Alex Robles, and their poodle, Mia, relaxed on a bench at the Common.

"It's very sad," said Millie Robles "Nowadays, teenagers aren't going like they used to. Everything is knife, guns, robberies."

The Robleses moved to Northbridge, population 16,000, three years ago from Worcester, with Millie Robles calling Northbridge a "nice, quiet town." However, she said she reminds her son to lock the doors when he leaves the house.

The stabbing has Alex Robles concerned. "The town is safe, but the stabbing is weird."

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram .

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 1 dead, 1 critically wounded in stabbing on Northbridge Common