Local
Allston stabbing survivor says close call has renewed his sense of purpose
Noah Walsh and two friends were injured in a machete attack in Allston shortly after 1:30 a.m. Oct. 4. A 24-year-old man arrested four days later in Brighton faces multiple assault-related charges, police said.
Noah Walsh said a machete came close to his jugular when he and two friends were attacked in Boston’s Allston neighborhood shortly after 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. All three were taken to a hospital and survived.
Walsh said the attacker first stabbed one of his friends in the back, then cut his hand and struck his shoulder and neck. He said a deeper wound could have caused him to bleed to death.
Four days later, Boston police arrested 24-year-old Joshua Flores outside ABC Auto Works in Brighton, where shop manager Gustavo Teo said he saw Flores talking to himself and swinging a machete. Teo said he was frightened but grateful officers arrived.
Flores was initially charged with a weapons violation and disorderly conduct, according to a police report. Investigators later determined that he matched the description provided in connection with the Allston attack, police said. He faces three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of mayhem.
The charges are allegations; the case has not been resolved in court.
Walsh said surviving the attack has changed his outlook and made him want to help prevent similar violence. He pointed to meeting people’s basic needs, including housing, education and food, as part of that effort, and said he wants to help keep others from experiencing what happened to him.