RUMFORD — A Rumford man is recovering from a stab wound after attempting to break up a domestic altercation Sunday night.
Tom Burgess, 21, of Rumford was stabbed in the chest after attempting to help a female friend who was being dragged away by her ex-boyfriend on Union Street in Bangor, according to Sharon Burgess, Tom Burgess’s mother.
Bangor Police Sgt. Chip Hodges said officer Chris Blanchard responded to the 1100 block of Union Street at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 for a report of a fight.
“Officer Blanchard responded and found several subjects at the scene,” Hodges said. “One male had been stabbed in the chest and was transported by Bangor Fire Department to a nearby hospital.”
After interviewing witnesses, two other officers arrived on scene and began searching for the suspect. Sgt. Jim Buckley and officer Wade Betters later located, Erik Nowak, 20, of Wolcott, Conn., who matched the description of the suspect, Hodges said.
Nowak was arrested and charged with aggravated assault Class B and was taken to the Penobscot County Jail.
Nowak is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 10 and is being held on $1,500 bail.
Sharon Burgess said her son Tom was an acquaintance of Nowak’s ex-girlfriend and witnessed Nowak in a fight with her.
“He stepped in as she was being pulled down the street and grabbed Erik’s hoodie and told him ‘you aren’t going anywhere with her,'” Sharon Burgess said. “It was then that Erik turned around and stabbed my son in the chest,” she said.
Sharon Burgess said her other son, Kayne Burgess, 19, of Rumford ran after and jumped on Nowak in an attempt to stop him, and Nowak’s ex-girlfriend was able to grab the knife.
“She stepped on his wrist and grabbed the knife, but Erik got up and punched her in the stomach,” she said. “She was pregnant, but lost the baby because of the fight.”
Sharon Burgess said Nowak was able to get the knife back and ran off down the street.
“It’s a very sad thing, but I’m very proud of my boys for stepping in,” she said.
Kayne Burgess was not injured during the altercation. Tom Burgess was recovering Monday night from his stab wound, which hit one of his lungs, causing it to collapse.
Sharon Burgess said she was hopeful he would be released from the hospital Monday night.
Both Kayne and Tom Burgess are attending Job Corps in Bangor and are 2011 graduates of Mountain Valley High School.
ecox@sunjournal.com
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