YARMOUTH – The Yarmouth Police Department reports that on Saturday April 18, 2015, at approximately 7:06 p.m., the Yarmouth police and fire departments responded to 18 Mars Lane for a reported stabbing. Yarmouth Police Department Patrol Officer Mary Gibney arrived first on the scene and found the 52-year-old victim walking in the street bleeding, suffering from a severe abdominal wound. The victim and a witness identified the suspect and advised police that he may still be armed and inside the residence. The victim was placed in a Yarmouth Fire Department ambulance and transported to Cape Cod Hospital suffering life-threatening injuries.
A protective perimeter was established and the numerous occupants inside the residence were ordered out. Once the scene was secured, five occupants who had been in the home were also secured. A protective sweep of the residence was conducted and the suspect not located. All of the people who had been in the home were transported to Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters to be interviewed. Some of them had fresh blood on their clothes and bodies and had prior criminal records. Yarmouth Police Department detectives and patrol officers conducted separate interviews of each person in the home and positively identified the suspect. He reportedly had stabbed the victim numerous times in the stomach area based on an argument over previously unreported threats made by the suspect while armed with a handgun. The victim of the stabbing is currently at Cape Cod Hospital and is expected to survive.
The suspect has been identified as William L. Benton, 22, (photo at right) and is currently wanted by the Yarmouth Police Department for Attempted Murder and Assault and Battery while Armed with a Dangerous Weapon (knife). He is also wanted on several other outstanding default warrants for Witness Intimidation, Threats and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. Benton has 42 prior charges in Massachusetts, many of them involving armed violent crimes including several charges of Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Assaults with a Dangerous Weapon, Threats and Intimidation of a Witness.
With black hair and brown eyes, Benton is 5-feet 7-inches tall and weighs 145 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who observes Benton should call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about this crime or the location or information regarding Benton is urged to immediately contact the Yarmouth Police Department at 508.775.0445 extension 0 or Yarmouth Police Department lead investigator Detective Eric Nuss at 508.775.0445 extension 2132.
Media release and photo provided by the Yarmouth Police Department
