By Jim Clark

Police were called to the vicinity of 206 Washington St. last Thursday evening, July 4, on a report of a fight in progress involving weapons. Officers en route were informed that one of the parties involved in the disturbance was reportedly armed with a machete and that he was part of an earlier incident related to the use of a machete.

Upon arrival, officers spotted a man, later identified as Fredy Portillo, 33, standing on the sidewalk, reportedly in a very agitated state. He was shirtless and officers noted a big bite mark on his chest.

Police were advised that the victim of an alleged knife attack by Portillo had gone into a store at 208 Washington St. The alleged victim was located in the store by officers, and they noted that several knife wounds were visible on his body.

The alleged victim reportedly told officers that he had been attacked by Portillo for no apparent reason while on his way to visit a friend in the area. The alleged victim said that Portillo lunged at him, inflicting a wound in his upper chest area, according to reports.

At that point the alleged victim said he tried to run to the nearby police station to get assistance but Portillo caught up with him and inflicted a second knife wound, to his upper back area.

A scuffle between the two men then ensued, according to reports, and another knife wound was inflicted on the alleged victim, this time in his lower abdominal area, creating a major gash.

To break free of his attacker, the alleged victim reportedly bit Portillo’s chest, then ran into the store, where someone called the police.

The alleged victim reportedly said that he had no prior relationship with Portillo and had no idea why he had been attacked by him.

Police noted that Portillo had been involved in an incident earlier that same day, when he entered the nearby police station with a bloody nose, reporting that he had been fighting with his roommate.

He was told to wait for a Spanish speaking officer since he did not speak English, but apparently became impatient and left the police station saying that he would be taking matters into his own hands, police said.

Officers stopped Portillo outside the police station so that he could get the assistance he requested, according to reports, but also noted that he seemed to be holding his waistline as if he was concealing something under his clothes.

Concerned that Portillo might be armed, police searched him and found him to be in possession of a machete, which was immediately confiscated, according to reports.

Portillo was then sent to the hospital to be treated for the injuries he sustained while fighting with his roommate.

After the knifing incident later that evening, Portillo was placed under arrest and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault to murder.