Arraignment This Morning: Lowell Stabbings—Suspect to be in Lowell District Court This Morning

WOBURN — Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor announce that a suspect is under arrest in connection with the stabbing of two individuals at an outdoor location on Temple Street on Monday, November 17.
 
Twenty-three year-old David Benitez Jr., turned himself in to Lowell Police as a result of an ongoing investigation into the stabbing death of eighteen year-old Charlena Ngeth of Lowell and to the stabbing of a twenty-five year-old man during the same incident.  Benitez is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court this morning on a charge of manslaughter.  Any charges which are filed are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

At approximately 8 pm on November 17, Lowell Police responded to the report of a stabbing at a Temple Street address.  One victim was found outside with serious injuries and later that night was pronounced dead at a hospital.  The second victim, the twenty-five year-old man, was driven to a hospital by friends and police believe he was stabbed earlier at the Temple Street scene. His name has not been released.

An autopsy performed on November 18 determined that the Charlena Ngeth died of a single stab wound.

Investigators have said this was not a random incident.  Members of the public with information that they believe may be helpful to the investigation can call the Lowell Police Department at 978-937-3242 or leave an anonymous tip at 978-459-TIPS (8477).  Members of the public may also contact the State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office at 781-897-6600.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Christopher Tarrant.