SOMERVILLE — On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at approximately 11:56 a.m., Officer Thomas Lambert of the Somerville Police Department was dispatched to DAMATA Barber Shop located at 244 Broadway following a report of an assault.
Officer Charlie O’Leary and Officer Matthew McCune responded to the scene as well.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from a summary of the incident written by Officer Lambert in the Somerville Police Department’s weekly arrest log and do not reflect any political or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“Upon my arrival I spoke to the owner of the barbershop, Mr. [name redacted] who stated he was doing work on a railing inside the shop with his friend, Mr. [name redacted],” Officer Lambert said.
The owner of the barber shop said that his son, Joao Henrique Demata,was sitting in a chair inside the shop when he got up and pushed his father’s friend to the ground and kicked him in the face. Officer Lambert said that when he arrived on scene, blood was coming from the man’s nose and the right side of his face was swollen.
According to police, Joao Henrique Demata, 21, is a resident of 244 Broadway, Somerville, MA.
“[The barber’s friend] had blood coming from his nose and the right side of his face was swollen,” Officer Lambert said. “I requested Cataldo Ambulance respond to treat [him] for his injuries. I asked [the barber’s friend] if there was any argument or words said before the kick and he stated ‘no’ and Joao ran from the store traveling eastbound on Broadway toward Sullivan Station. [He] said Joao was wearing all black and had shaved his eye brows, facial hair and head the night before.”
The barber’s friend was transported by Cataldo Ambulance to Cambridge Hospital for further medical care, Officer Lambert said.
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Shortly thereafter, Officer McCune located Joao in front of 92 Broadway.
“Joao was placed in handcuffs for officer safety and stated ‘I had to do what I had to do’ and would not elaborate any further,” Officer Lambert said. “I once again asked Joao to explain what had happened and he refused. Joao was placed under arrest and transported to Somerville Police Headquarters by Unit 200 Officer Timothy Sullivan and booked in the usual manner by the shift commander, Lieutenant Michael Holland.”
At the time of his arrest, Demata had an active warrant issued by Lowell police.
Joao was charged with the following:
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Shod Foot)
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