NASHUA, N.H. — A N.H. man accused of killing an EMT claimed he was acting out of self-defense.
Matthew Packer, 19, claimed that he took out a six-inch pocket knife only after being punched in the ear and being rushed by five other people, according to the Union Leader.
Packer allegedly stabbed off-duty Mass. EMT Paul Frontiero III, 27, 16 times, including once to the heart.
Witnesses said that a friend of Frontiero had yelled an insult at Packer as he and a friend were driving by. Packer confronted Frontiero and said he would “cut” him.
Packer told police that several people started charging him and he pulled out his knife to defend himself.
He reportedly also injured two women that were with Frontiero.
One of the women told authorities that Packer had actually put a knife to her throat after trying to instigate a fight, and it was only then that Frontiero started attacking Packer.
Frontiero’s mother, Cathy Frontiero, said that her son died a hero, and that he was trying to save the two women from possibly being killed. “He died a hero. It might have been two deaths instead of one if it wasn’t for his help,” she told The Union Leader after the incident.
Zachary Jensen, the one with Packer in the car, later told police that Packer acted excited about the attack, saying he “just sticked a bunch of people.”
After being apprehended, Packer claimed he was also bipolar but couldn’t afford medication.
He is currently being held without bail on charges of second-degree murder.