Somerville Attempted Murder: Man Stabbed, Wheelchair Set On Fire

SOMERVILLE, MA – A homeless man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing another man nine times and setting his wheelchair on fire. The attack occurred Aug. 16 around 9:21 p.m. near Sullivan Square Liquors on Broadway, Somerville police said.

Police arrived at the scene to find a man sitting on the bench in front of the liquor store, bleeding from multiple wounds. He told police he exited the train at Sullivan Square and was heading to Taco Loco in his wheelchair when he was stabbed twice. The victim did not know who had stabbed him or what he had been stabbed with, according to police.

He told police he ran on foot to Sullivan Square Liquors to get help and was stabbed seven more times from behind. The store clerk called 911, and emergency crews arrived to transport the victim to the hospital.

Responding officers reviewed surveillance footage from the liquor store, which showed a man, who police later identified as 40-year-old Raulison Desouza, allegedly stab the victim repeatedly in the doorway of the store. While officers searched for additional cameras that may have recorded the attack, they received a call for a wheelchair on fire behind Sullivan Square Liquors. The wheelchair belonged to the victim and was on loan to him from Massachusetts General Hospital, police said.

Police searched the area to see if the fire was caught on camera. As they left Taco Loco, Desouza crossed Broadway in their direction. He allegedly began to confess to the stabbing and setting fire to the wheelchair. He was placed in handcuffs and asked why he stabbed the victim and set his chair on fire.

Desouza allegedly told police he wanted the man dead and stabbed him with a screwdriver, according to the arrest report. He could not remember where he had thrown the weapon, but officers found a lighter in his pocket, police said.

At the station, Desouza refused to answer any further questions and requested a lawyer. He was charged with attempted murder and burning personal property.

Editor's Note: This report was written using information provided by the Somerville Police Department. An arrest does not imply a conviction.

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