COHASSET, MASS. (WHDH) - Authorities have identified the 25-year-old man who died while in police custody after allegedly stabbing and slashing a 24-year-old woman with a knife at a home in Cohasset on Thursday night.
Officers responding to a reported disturbance at a home on Church Street just before 10 p.m. found Erich Stelzer actively assaulting the woman with weapons, according to a statement issued by the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
The officers used stun guns to subdue Stelzer and rescue the victim, according to the DA’s Office.
The woman escaped and was taken to a local hospital to be treated for extensive stabbing and slashing injuries.
Stelzer, who lived at the address, was also provided medical attention and became unresponsive while being transported to an area hospital.
He was later pronounced dead.
Stelzer’s father, Harold, says he’s in total shock.
“I do not even know what is going on. I do not know where this behavior came from, He was just a happy go lucky guy,” he said. “I am sorry for what happened to the girl. I mean, what can I say, but until I get the report I cannot make judgment. No one wants that to happen to their daughter.
A source tells 7News’ Jonathan Hall that Stelzer met the victim on Tinder earlier in the week and has a history of mental illness.
Stelzer’s neighbor said the incident has rattled residents in the usually quiet neighborhood and that they are keeping the victim in their thoughts.
“It’s kind of a shocker to see all the commotion last night,” he said. “Definitely a heavy police presence and kind of made us concerned a little bit but at the moment we’re just really thinking of her and hoping she’s okay and the family gets through this tough time.”
State troopers assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office are assisting with the investigation.
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