Man Stabbed Tyngsborough Teen After Sneaker Sale Went Bad: Police

TYNGSBOROUGH, MA – Police are searching for a man who they say broke into a Tyngsborough home and stabbed a teenage boy after the sale of a pair of sneakers went wrong. Officers went to Frost Road after 8 p.m. and learned a 17-year-old boy had been taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening stab wound to his abdomen, according to police.

Investigators believe 19-year-old Dequan Hagen, of Nashua, NH, came to the home to buy a pair of shoes but tried to leave without paying. Following an altercation, Hagen went to his car and returned with a knife, according to police.

Hagen forced his way into the home, assaulted the teen and fled in a silver sedan, according to a police statement. Investigators found damage to the home's garage door and blood on the floor.

The victim was flown to a Boston area hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.

"I want to reassure Tyngsborough residents that this was not a random crime," Chief Richard Howe said in a statement. "We have no reason to believe that the public is in danger, and we are working aggressively with our law enforcement partners in the area to locate and arrest this suspect as soon as possible."

Police are seeking to arrest Hagen on the following charges:

• Armed Robbery
• Home Invasion
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
• Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
• Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,200

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyngsborough Police Department.

Image via Tyngsborough PD