Arrest After Stabbing at Town Line Motel

Police said they arrested a man last week after a dispute between tenants escalated to a serious stabbing. 

John Burke of Braintree was arrested for alleged attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault and battery after he fought with two other residents about who was kicking his door at a late hour, Capt. John Amirault said. 

An investigation revealed the victims were not involved in that harassment, Amirault said. 

"Mr. Burke first approached a female, and after some words pushed her into the bushes," Amirault wrote via email.

"Upon seeing this, her boyfriend attempted to intervene and was assaulted by Mr. Burke, who punched him several times and stabbed him once in the chest."

Police said they later found Burke hiding in his room, where he was arrested. 

The victim's injuries, while serious, do not appear to be life-threatening, Amirault said.