Boston, Massachusetts – A man was attacked under the Longfellow Bridge with a machete last month by a convicted rapist who was later arrested, authorities revealed on Thursday. The victim was discovered covered in blood with multiple head wounds on Storrow Drive on the night of May 23, according to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office. The attacker, identified as Charles Selph, was described as a repeat violent offender and apprehended in Boston four days after the incident.
Good Samaritans stopped to aid the bloodied man, with one individual capturing cellphone footage that assisted in locating Selph. The victim provided a description of his assailant, aiding in the swift arrest of Selph through the collaboration of bystanders, surveillance video, and investigative efforts.
The assault occurred around 10:15 p.m., prompting state police to respond near Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields at Storrow Drive. Details regarding the attack were initially scarce, with confirmation only of an assault taking place.
The wounded victim, aged 54, disclosed that he had been sleeping under the bridge before fleeing onto Storrow Drive in search of help amidst the attack. In a driver’s video, the perpetrator was seen brandishing a long object, consistent with what was observed in MBTA surveillance footage prior to the incident, as per prosecutors.
Despite a lack of disclosed motivation for the attack, Selph’s previous criminal record included convictions for rape, sexual assault, assault and battery on a police officer, and failure to register as a sex offender. In his latest legal entanglement, he was sentenced to nine months in prison in May of the previous year for an assault and battery offense.
Following his arrest, Selph was arraigned a day later on May 28 for the machete attack. He was ordered to be held on bail amounting to $1,000 and to refrain from contact with the victim or the attack location. The defendant’s legal representation and bail status were uncertain at that time, with a court appearance scheduled for June 21.