Man charged in unprovoked attack on MSP trooper arraigned from hospital bed

BOSTON — The man accused in the unprovoked stabbing of a State Police trooper was arraigned from his hospital bed on Friday morning.

Nathan Aguilar, 18, of Melrose faced his charges from the hospital instead of Newburyport District Court because he’s still being treated for gunshot wounds sustained during the attack.

Aguilar remains in stable condition at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston.

Family members were at his side as a State Police trooper explained the proceedings. According to a police report, Aguilar allegedly attacked Trooper Steve Torosian with a knife while Torosian had been working a detail off 495 in Amesbury on Thursday.

According to investigators, Aguilar drove his minivan into the breakdown lane where crews had been working on putting up new highway signs.

“Mr. Aguilar yesterday intentionally approached a Massachusetts State Police trooper at the roadside on 495 in Amesbury,” said the trooper as he read Aguilar his charges. “He intentionally opened the door and began an unprovoked attack on the trooper with a bladed instrument and he did show he was intending to cause serious bodily harm if not death to the trooper.”

The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Boston 25 News isn’t identifying the witness included in the police report, who had been working on site when the attack happened. He told police he, “observed the suspect walk from his vehicle to cruiser 539. (The witness) observed Aguilar make several stabbing motions at Trooper Torosian. (The witness) then heard a gunshot and saw Aguilar fall to the ground.”

Trooper Torosian was treated for stab wounds to his left arm and released from the hospital. Investigators said he was forced to fire his weapon to stop the suspect from attacking him.

The 34-year-old trooper has been a member of the department for 3 and a half years and is a military veteran.

A hearing date for Aguilar has been set for next Friday.

>> MSP: Trooper stabbed, suspect shot during ‘altercation’ on I-495

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