BEVERLY — A dispute among neighbors at 34 Grant St. turned violent last night, sending three women to the hospital — two of them with stab wounds and a third with injuries to her face.
The women were taken by ambulance to Beverly Hospital, and their injuries were not considered life-threatening, said Officer April Clarizia, a spokeswoman for the Beverly Police Department.
Police arrested Dionne S. Duarte, 23, of 9 Hart Circle, Randolph, and charged her with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, according to police.
Clarizia said the weapon in question was a knife, which police recovered and entered into evidence.
As of last night, Duarte was held at the Beverly police station pending her arraignment Tuesday in Salem District Court.
Because the investigation is ongoing, the charges could change, Clarizia said. Others involved in the incident could also face charges.
Police, fire and ambulance descended on this close-knit neighborhood known as Gloucester Crossing shortly after 7:30 p.m., illuminating the street in blue and red with their vehicles' flashing lights.
The incident, on a steamy summer night ahead of the predicted approach of Hurricane Earl, drew residents along Grant Street out onto their porches and into the street. About 60 bystanders and neighbors watched as the women were loaded into ambulances and as police questioned witnesses.
Officers Kevin Coletti, Eric Lynch and Jeff Tache along with Patrol Supervisor Sgt. David Faustino responded to the emergency call at 7:39 p.m., Clarizia said. At one point, the officers had four women in handcuffs sitting on the steps of the three-family home as they were questioned.
"Nobody deserves to be stabbed," said Carol Houghton, who lives at 34 Grant St., before she boarded an ambulance. She pointed to a injury on her right cheek.
Her husband, David, said he heard some yelling and came downstairs to investigate. His saw his neighbors embroiled in a fight with his wife, his stepdaughter Deisere Andress and their friend Siobhan MacArthur. The latter two were the ones who were stabbed, according to police.
Grant Street resident Rick Cassidy said he heard the ruckus and went outdoors to see what was happening. He saw a group he estimated at 15 fighting each other.
"The next thing I knew someone got stabbed," he said. "There was a lot (of people outside), and they were all fighting."
Last night's event had disrupted an otherwise peaceful summer on the street.
"All summer long, it's been a great neighborhood," Cassidy said. "It really is a good street. Everybody on this street looks out for each other."
The three-family, 4,125-square-foot house is owned by Anna-Liisa Brownwell, who purchased the property in November 2009, according to the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds.
Beverly Detective Thomas Nolan and Capt. Jack DiVincenzo also responded to the incident. The state police Crime Prevention and Control Unit is also assisting in the investigation.
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