Malden teen held on murder charge after Saturday Chelsea brawl

BOSTON, July 22, 2024 – A Malden teenager was ordered held without bail today on charges that he stabbed a man to death during a brawl in Chelsea Saturday night, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced. 

JOKSIN BRIONES-BLANDON, 18, was charged in Chelsea District Court today with first-degree murder. Judge Kimberly Foster ordered Briones-Blandon held without bail and set August 20 for a probable cause hearing.

Shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday, Chelsea police responded to reports of several men fighting at the intersection of Highland and Grove streets.  One of the men, Santos Cartegena, 44, suffered multiple stab wounds and transported himself to Whidden Hospital.  Cartegena was then transported to Beth Israel Hospital for surgery.  Cartegena was pronounced dead early Sunday morning.

Surveillance video showed three men fighting.  At one point the combatants separate.  Video shows Briones-Blandon grab a kitchen knife from a backpack, re-engage in the fight, and stab Cartegena in the back.

Briones-Blandon was taken into custody by Chelsea police shortly after the fight after he returned to the scene to recover a red motorcycle. Briones-Blandon was taken to the police station, questioned, and arrested.

The investigation into the incident is continuing, Hayden said.

“This was an exceptionally violent incident that was captured on video, giving investigators valuable information to help determine what happened and who was involved.  I offer my deepest sympathies to Mr. Cartegena and his family and friends,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications