Student Stabbed After Friday Football Game

Post-Game Fight Leads to Stabbing

Story Updated 9:37AM, Tuesday, October 7, 2008

– Allison Goldsberry

A fight amongst a football player and three local youths in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium resulted in the stabbing of a Medford football player Friday night following the team’s loss to Newton South.

According to sources, several individuals were waiting after the game for one of Medford’s players, a Curtis-Tufts senior.  A fight broke out in the parking lot amongst those individuals as the team was walking to the buses.  The Medford player was allegedly attacked by the three local youths and stabbed in his arm.  The victim was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.

According to Medford Police Officer Dave Ciampi, police arrested 21-year-old former Medford High School and Curtis-Tufts student Michael Solimine in connection with the stabbing.  He has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weaopon.  Solimine, currently a Wakefield resident, is well-known to police and has “a long track record” of run ins with the law.

This is the second time violence has marred a Medford football game.  Last year, another student was stabbed during a fight after a home game against Somerville.  Police arrested Medford High School student Ricardo Pierre in connection with the incident.  Pierre was also arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with a summer stabbing at Morrison Park.

Medford Athletic Director Bob Maloney said fans should not be worried about safety at Medford’s football games.

“It was an unfortunate incident…we have more than sufficient safety.  It was an isolated incident,” said Maloney.

According to Maloney, two police officers are at every home game, along with himself, Dr. Krueger, and two headmasters, as well as an event staff of five people.

“We have more than enough supervision and security,” said Maloney.

Maloney said the School Committee and School Superintendent Roy Belson have been briefed on the incident and he is ready to bring on more security if he is told to do so.

Superintendent Belson also called the incident an isolated one.  He said police were quick to respond and apprehend the suspect, and the stadium is overall “very secure.”

Headmaster Paul Krueger commended the football team for its reaction to the incident, as team leaders got the rest of the team on the bus to avoid a large scale brawl.