Medford Teen Arrested for Attempted Murder

Fight Leads to Second Arrest for Suspect

Story Updated 8:01AM, Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Ricardo Pierre is pictured at left in a photo provided by the Medford Police.

– Allison Goldsberry

A Medford teen has been arrested for the attempted murder of another teen.

Ricardo Pierre, 17, of Farragut Avenue, was arrested Saturday, the day after the alleged stabbing took place, and is facing charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a knife).

Police say the alleged stabbing took place in broad daylight on Friday afternoon around 4:30PM in Morrison Park. Pierre and a small group of teens approached another small group of teens that appeared to be drinking in the park. Pierre allegedly said something to the victim about a problem they had in the past and threw a large beer bottle at the victim, narrowly missing the victim’s head. A fight broke out and Pierre allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest before fleeing the park with his friends.

According to police the victim suffered serious internal injuries and underwent emergency surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital to save his life. The victim has been upgraded from critical to stable condition and still remains in the hospital.

This is not Pierre’s first run in with the law nor is it his first violent crime.

Pierre was also arrested and charged in connection with a stabbing that took place after a football game last October. Pierre was a Medford High School senior at the time.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office, Pierre was released after his arraignment last year on the conditions that he does not carry any weapons or firearms, has no contact with the victim, maintains a work or school program, reports to probation once a week, and does not commit any crimes.

Medford Police said they would like to thank all of the witnesses that helped with the investigation. As a result of an investigation conducted by the Medford Police Investigative Services Unit, the Medford Police Patrol Officers, and the Massachusetts State Police Middlesex County CPAC, a warrant was issued for the Pierre’s arrest the day after the stabbing on Saturday, August 2.