Boston teen charged with stabbing outside of the Liberty Hotel will return to court August 16 for competency hearing

BOSTON, August 1, 2024 – A 19-year-old faces a competency hearing later this month after being accused in BMC Central of stabbing a 63-year-old man outside of the Liberty Hotel over the weekend, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

KYMANI WALKER, 19, of Boston was charged Monday with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (knife) and armed assault to murder. Judge Paul Treseler ordered Walker held without bail pending a competency hearing on August 16.

At about 4 p.m. on July 27, Boston Police responded to the Liberty Hotel at 215 Charles Street for a person stabbed. Officers observed the victim, 63, laying on the sidewalk outside of the hotel with multiple stab wounds to his torso area. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Several witnesses on scene informed officers that the assailant, later identified as Walker, fled on Charles Street toward the rear of the building.

Witnesses reported seeing Walker lunge at the victim with a knife several times and heard the victim shout “I don’t know you.” Walker was observed in a fighting stance while the victim attempted to back away. Witnesses also reported seeing Walker reach for the victim’s phone before stabbing the victim in the stomach.

Based on the statements, videos, and photos provided by various witnesses, officers were able to locate and identify Walker in the area of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields along the Esplanade. Officers observed blood on Walker’s pants and shoes.

 “This is yet another example of on-the-spot witness information helping lead to quick identification and arrest.  I thank all the witnesses for coming forward and providing essential information. The number of people at the scene and the severity of the victim’s injuries adds to the shocking nature of this incident,” 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