An argument between two groups of youths at a courthouse in Boston led to a man being stabbed, police said.
It is unclear what prompted the fight at the Suffolk Superior Court, but investigators from Massachusetts State Police said it began in the lift.
As the quarrel continued, the group moved to a cafeteria on the second-floor where the stabbing took place.
The victim was transferred to a nearby hospital. His injuries were not thought to be life threatening.
His assailants fled before they could be arrested.
Joseph Simons, a Boston defense attorney, praised the court officers and police.
“The officers responded quickly and efficiently and it seemed they worked as a team and made a quick dash to the elevators,” he told The Boston Herald. “I was thankful we have a well-staffed courthouse and professional officers able to respond to the situation.”
He added: “It is too early to speculate what he was allegedly stabbed with, I know when you go in they check everyone … the stabbing is such an anomaly so I don’t think we need to speculate yet about how to change policy.”
