Cancer Patient, 75, Still Hospitalized After Being Stabbed

BOSTON (WCVB) —Police have released pictures of the people they say may have information about the stabbing a 75-year-old Roxbury man walking home from a store earlier this week.

The attack happened on Burrell Street at about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Police released pictures of two people — a man and a woman — who they say are wanted in connection with the attack.

“Why, why, why do they want to do that to him? He’s the friendliest person you ever want to meet really,” the victim’s sister, Norma Thornton, asked.

Family members said James Barton, who is being treated for cancer, was walking home from the neighborhood store after buying scratch tickets when someone tried to rob him.

“It’s very sad. He’s an old guy and he’s walking very slowly with a cane. He’s walking very slow,” store owner Mamen Rashid said.

The retired grandfather was able to make it back to his sister’s home, who called 911.

“I couldn’t think, I said what the heck is going on,” Thornton said.

Barton tried to fight off the attackers with his cane, his family said.

The retired grandfather had just bought scratch tickets — like he does every night at the
Barton is in stable condition at Boston Medical Center. His family is hoping for the best.

“He’s strong. He’s a strong guy. Praying for him that everything goes all right,” Thornton said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.