SOMERVILLE — On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at approximately 11:54 a.m., Somerville Police Officers Dante DiFronzo and Jose Ramirez responded to Statue Park, at 30 Davis Square, following a report of an injured person.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the arrest narrative of Officer Dante A. DiFronzo in the Somerville Police Department’s weekly arrest log and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“Upon arrival, I was approached by the victim…who was bleeding profusely from what appeared to be a deep laceration he sustained to the left side of his head,” Officer DiFronzo said. “The victim, who was visibly upset and shaking with fear, stated, ‘The guy sitting on the bench, with the white hair, black mustache, wearing a black t-shirt and gray sweat pants, cracked me over the f*ck*ng head with a shaft of a gray steel broom.'”

Officer DiFronzo said he then asked Officer Ramirez to notify Somerville Dispatch and request assistance from Cataldo EMS.

“I scanned the immediate area and observed the suspect, later identified as Samuel Valera…sitting on a bench in Statue Park, surrounded by several male individuals conversing,” Officer DiFronzo said.

According to police, Samuel Bathalemo Valera, 55, is a resident of Jamaica Plain, MA.

“Myself and Officer Ramirez determined that the victim’s safety was paramount and we both agreed to stay with the victim until Cataldo EMS arrived on scene,” Officer DiFronzo said. “At my request, Officer Ramirez maintained visual contact with the suspect while I interviewed the victim.”

Officer DiFronzo said he asked the victim what happened and he said that he recently broke up with his girlfriend.

“As a result, he was devastated that she would no longer be in his life,” Officer DiFronzo said. “[The victim] also stated that as he attempted to enter Statue Park, he and the suspect, Valera, became involved in a heated verbal dispute regarding his ex-girlfriend and a physical altercation ensued. [The victim] further stated that as the two exchanged punches, a bottle of vodka dislodged from his back[pack] and shattered on the ground upon impact.”

The victim stated that as he retreated, Valera retrieved a gray steel broom and struck him on the head with the shaft, knocking him to the ground.

“He stated that, as he attempted to regain his footing, his face was covered in blood, and he fled the area in fear of his safety,” Officer DiFronzo said.

Cataldo EMS personnel arrived and transported the victim to Cambridge City Hospital for treatment.

Officer DiFronzo said that he and Officer Ramirez then approached Valera, who was still sitting on the bench.

“As we approached the suspect, we identified ourselves as Somerville police officers, and I interviewed him,” Officer DiFronzo said. “I asked Mr. Valera what had transpired between him and [the victim], and he stated, ‘Officer, I asked him about his girlfriend, he became enraged and pushed me, I defended myself, and the two off us exchanged punches. He started to leave and I saw him bend down and pick up something silver, I grabbed a broom and cracked him over the f*ck*ng head and split him wide open.'”

When Officer DiFronzo asked Valera what item the victim picked up, he stated that it “looked like a screw driver.”

“I then asked him if he had used it against him in any manner, and Mr. Valera stated, ‘He didn’t have a chance, I cracked him with the broom as soon as he stood upright,'” Officer DiFronzo said. “I asked him what had occurred next, and he stated, ‘He was covered in blood and he walked away screaming.'”

Officer DiFronzo then asked Officer Ramirez to contact Somerville Dispatch and arrange to have the mobile detention unit respond to their location.

Officer Aidian Slattery then arrived on scene and transported Valera to the Somerville Police Department where he was booked and processed by Lieutenant Eli Kim.

Samuel Valera, 55, of Jamaica Plain, was then arrested and charged with the following: