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Juvenile arrested after Whitman stabbing

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WHITMAN — A 16-year-old Whitman teen is in stable condition, recovering from extensive injuries following a stabbing on Sunday evening in Whitman.

Another 16-year-old was due to face charges of assault to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in Brockton Juvenile Court Monday.

Police Chief Scott Benton addressed the media at Whitman Police Headquarters on Monday to confirm the two unnamed juvenile males do know one another.

“There is a victim here that suffered a significant stab wound,” said Benton. “Certainly our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the victim that he makes a full recovery,.”

The Express was on scene just after 9 p.m. Sunday night as police cordoned off the yard with crime tape following a 911 call for a stabbing at a home at the corner of Washington Street and Belcher Drive.

A knife was removed by detectives and evidence could be seen on the grass.

A red shirt, a water bottle, and several items were lying on the lawn while detectives from Whitman police and Plymouth County sheriff’s officers investigated.  An area at the back of the house where the suspect lived was also being combed over by officers who carried a brown evidence bag to a patrol car. There were reportedly other juveniles at the Whitman home during the incident.

Detectives were due to speak with the victim at the hospital on Monday, according to Benton.

Adults who were standing on the front lawn speaking with law enforcement personnel Sunday night, declined to speak to the media. They were later seen going in to the home and closing the door.

Benton reiterated Monday that the case is ongoing and active with many details not being released due to the juveniles involved. He could not elaborate on the area in the backyard or how the disagreement began because of the ongoing investigation.

“The case involves juveniles so there is not a lot I can say,” he said.

Jared Wark, 18, of Whitman said knows both the victim and suspect as a friend and former basketball teammate. He was not at the scene of the incident, he said.

Wark told the media outside the Whitman police station that the victim and suspect were “talking smack” and threats were made via social media.

“It is surreal. I never thought any of this would happen,” said Wark. “There were threats. No one thought he was serious and they were friends.”

He called the town of Whitman a “tight town” — a very small town.

“I love my town. We are all connected and word spread around very quickly. It is past shocking,” he said.

Benton would not confirm further details about the role of social media or the exact cause of the escalation.

“We are talking about juveniles,” Benton said. “There is nothing that I can imagine in your life, that at the age of 16, that is … (pause) could possibly cause the death of another person, “said Benton.

Plymouth County District Attorney Cruz’ office is reportedly handling the case going forward. The suspect was released to his parents and was due at Brockton Juvenile court on Monday.

The victim is expected to make a recovery but he has long road ahead, Benton said.