In connection with an attempted murder from September, authorities have arrested and charged two men. The incident involved a Chelsea teenager who was attacked in broad daylight with both a knife and machete, sustaining multiple stab wounds.
Jose Lopez, 20, of Revere and Jose Vasquez, 21, of Somerville face charges of assault with intent to murder stemming from the Sept. 8 attack. The 16-year-old victim received 10 separate stab wounds during the daytime assault.
On Wednesday, Lopez was apprehended in Morristown, N.J. on an unrelated assault and battery charge. He is being held as a fugitive of justice pursuant to a Chelsea District Court warrant related to the September stabbing. Authorities are working to extradite Lopez back to Massachusetts.
Vasquez turned himself in Friday when he appeared at Somerville District Court for an unrelated matter. That same day, he was brought before Chelsea District Court and arraigned on the assault with intent to murder charge. Assistant District Attorney James Megee sought $75,000 bail and requested that Vasquez maintain no contact with the victim if released. Judge Benjamin Barnes set bail at $20,000 and granted the no-contact order.
On Sept. 8 at roughly 1:30 p.m., Chelsea Police responded to Blossom and Maple streets. Officers discovered the teenage victim curled in a fetal position with multiple bleeding stab wounds. The victim underwent emergency surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Based on witness descriptions, police obtained surveillance footage from a nearby business showing individuals matching those descriptions leaving the scene. Chelsea Police detectives used photo arrays to identify Lopez and Vasquez. According to investigators, Lopez wielded the knife during the assault while Vasquez brandished the machete.
Attorney Daniel Fitzgerald represented Vasquez at his arraignment. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 25. Lopez’s arraignment date has not yet been set.