LOWELL — A Lowell man has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed a 43-year-old man to death inside the pair’s rooming house on Merrimack Street during the early morning hours on Friday.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police interim Superintendent Barry Golner announced in a press release that 44-year-old Jose Mercado-Caraballo allegedly stabbed Claude Seraphin following an argument between the two men in the victim’s apartment.
The release states Lowell Police responded to the rooming house about 6:20 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, who was unconscious and suffering from stab wounds. The victim — later identified as Seraphin — was transported to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The release states that Mercado-Caraballo and Seraphin both lived at the rooming house in separate apartments. A preliminary investigation suggests that a confrontation occurred in Seraphin’s apartment, which led to the attack.
Following his arrest, Mercado-Caraballo is accused of becoming assaultive toward police officers, the release states. In addition to murder, he has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. Additional charges are expected to be filed against Mercado-Caraballo.
The release states Mercado-Caraballo was taken to an area hospital and is being held pending arraignment in Lowell District Court.
The incident remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, State Police detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Lowell Police.
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