Hatchet assault suspect arrested over the weekend in Boston

LOWELL — A homeless man arrested for allegedly striking two acquaintances with a hatchet as they slept inside their home on Lakeview Avenue last week refused to appear for his arraignment on Monday.

Ralph Goodridge, 66, was ordered to be held without bail and will have his arraignment at his dangerousness hearing next Monday, which will be conducted via Zoom.

He is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

According to Lowell police Capt. James Hodgdon, the attack occurred early Thursday morning after the victims of the assault — one of whom was 14 years old — had allowed Goodridge to stay with them at their home on Lakeview Avenue, following his release from jail.

Shortly before 2 a.m., as the victims were asleep, Goodridge allegedly struck both of them in the head with the hatchet, Hodgdon said. The victims escaped the assault by fleeing the residence and “screaming for help,” he added.

“A neighbor heard their screams on Lakeview Avenue and assisted the victims,” Hodgdon said.

Both victims, who suffered lacerations to their heads from the weapon, were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Lowell Police Capt. James Hodgdon said in an email he was not aware of the circumstances surrounding Goodridge’s arrest in Boston, except to say he was arrested in the Mattapan neighborhood.

“We went and picked up Goodridge last night on our arrest warrant,” Hodgdon said. “There is also a federal detainer on him from sentence he was released on earlier this year.”

This is a developing story.