GARDNER, Mass. — A Revere man was arrested in connection with a stabbing at a Planet Fitness in Gardner on Wednesday morning that left another man seriously injured, authorities said.
Officers responding to a reported assault and battery at Planet Fitness on Victoria Lane just after 10:20 a.m. found a 43-year-old man from Gardner suffering from an apparent stab wound to the chest, according to the Gardner Police Department.
The stabbing victim was flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for his injuries. Gardner police said he has sense been released.
A short time later, a trooper patrolling Route 2 east in Fitchburg in search of a wanted silver Honda Civic spotted the vehicle in question and stopped the driver, according to Massachusetts State Police.
The driver, who state police identified as 28-year-old Lennox Nunez, possibly of Revere, was then taken into custody in connection with the stabbing. Boston 25 News has learned that Nunez is homeless and used the gym to work out and shower.
Nunez was arraigned Wednesday in Gardner District Court on a charge of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
“He stated heard a disagreement walked out of the shower area and struck, with a box cutter, the individual in the chest,” said Marc Dupuis, Assistant D.A., Northern Worcester Co.
Nunez’s attorney said there’s another story.
“If someone is attacked by somebody defending themselves in self-defense, it would change the scenario as to who is the victim,” said Michael Sheridan, defense attorney.
Gardner police noted that there was no “apparent motivation” for the attack.
Nunez has two cases with similar charges against him. His bail was set at $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety.
Planet Fitness provided the following statement to Boston 25 News:
“At Planet Fitness, the safety and security of our members and staff is always our top priority. We take these types of incidents extremely seriously, and the local Planet Fitness franchise owner is actively working with authorities in their investigation. We refer you to the local police for additional questions.”
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