AMESBURY, Mass. — A Massachusetts State Police trooper was stabbed during an altercation with a suspect Thursday, state police tell Boston 25 News.
State police say the “altercation” between the trooper and suspect happened on I-495 southbound in Amesbury. The trooper reportedly fired his weapon after being stabbed by the suspect. The trooper has been taken to a local hospital with slash wounds and the suspect was taken via MedFlight to a Boston hospital with gunshot wounds.
The trooper’s name was not released, but he was described as 34 years of age, a military veteran and a 3 1/2-year veteran of the force. He was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon.
In a press conference Thursday, officials explained the trooper was on detail along I-495 where a crew was working on signage. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Nathan Aguilar of Melrose, reportedly pulled over into the breakdown lane, got out of his vehicle, and walked up to the driver’s side door of the state police cruiser. Aguilar then reportedly pulled out a knife and after a brief struggle, slashed the trooper several times on the left arm. That’s when police say the trooper fired his gun, causing Aguilar to fall to the ground.
Aguilar was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to a Boston hospital. Police closed two lanes of traffic as they began investigating. While the motive is unclear, officials confirm the suspect was wearing a mask and yellow vest, perhaps blending in with the crew.
“I can’t speak to what the motive of the subject was,” Mass. State Police Superintendent Col. Christopher Mason said Thursday. “We don’t have a clear understanding of that at this very preliminary point in the investigation.”
Mason said investigators are looking into any possible connection between Aguilar and the trooper, but doesn’t believe there is one.
Aguilar will be arraigned from his hospital bed on Friday.
This browser does not support the video element.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office told Boston 25 News they responded to the scene. No additional information was released.
This browser does not support the video element.