East Boston has been the scene of a chilling assault as a local man was attacked with a hammer Tuesday morning. The Boston Police Department reported that the victim had just stepped into a local bakery at 40 Maverick Square and was later assailed upon leaving, an incident that led to the arrest of 37-year-old Eric Vargas on charges of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.
According to the statement provided to the Boston Police, the victim was confronted by the assailant early in the day when he requested to use the victim's cellphone. Having been denied, the suspect reportedly waited for the man to leave the establishment before committing the attack. Injuries sustained by the victim were serious, but not life-threatening, and the individual received medical care at a nearby health center.
Quick investigative work by detectives of District A-7 led to the identification of Vargas as the suspect. A patrol squad located him sitting on steps of a building on Paris Street on the following day, leading to his apprehension. The department's website shared that Vargas will face a count of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon at his arraignment in East Boston District Court.
The incident highlights a moment of unsuspecting violence in a community space often considered safe. Images of Vargas were used to assist officers in making a positive identification, a testament to the department’s urgency in addressing public safety. More information on the case can be found at the Boston Police Department’s official report.
