A wild scene at a construction site in Cambridge over a debt resulted in multiple stabbings, tourniquets, jiujitsu and a construction crane used for rescue.
“There was an argument over money, or I shouldn’t say money but a debt that was owed by one of the victims,” a spokesperson for Cambridge Police told the Herald of the scene that unfolded on Wheeler Street just after 7 a.m. Monday.
According to the spokesperson, a subcontractor working at the site of an apartment construction project approached another subcontractor and demanded some sort of payment.
The suspect, Carcensky Salvant, 21, of Randolph, apparently became enraged and stabbed his coworker in the leg. A third man tried to render medical aid and was also allegedly stabbed.
“One coworker put a preliminary tourniquet on target of the stabbing — the one that was stabbed in leg — and while the other man was trying to aid the victim he was stabbed in the back,” the spokesperson said.
A fourth man, apparently a martial artist, stepped into the confrontation and disarmed Salvant.
“(Salvant) was actually detained by another colleague on site, and that colleague actually knows jiujitsu — practices it — and was able to keep him at bay until officers arrived,” he said.
According to the spokesperson, officers were close to the scene of the stabbing and responded shortly after 7 a.m. from a nearby substation. Police were able to arrest Salvant and render further medical aid to the stab victims.
“One officer used a full tourniquet from his medical bag on the first victim’s wounds, ensuring those wounds were not life-threatening,” the spokesperson said.
The names of both victims have not been released however the spokesperson said both sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries. The spokesperson said the man stabbed in the leg is expected to keep the limb.
The stabbing occurred on or near the roof of the construction site, the spokesperson said, and the victim with the leg wound had to be placed on a stretcher by responding EMS and Cambridge Fire Department rescuers, who then enlisted the aid of a construction crane to lower the man to the ground.
“A construction crane was one element of the rescue, yes,” the spokesperson confirmed.
No officers were injured while taking the suspect into custody.
Salvant has been charged with two counts of armed assault to murder, battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery to collect a loan. He was arraigned in Cambridge District Court.
