Police: Knife-wielding assailant injures two cops at Wilmington train station

Two police officers in Wilmington were injured while trying to catch and arrest a knife-wielding 28-year-old Maynard man who had threatened people at a commuter rail station Wednesday.

Authorities say Seth Mather, used a knife to threaten two people near the Main Street train station around 3:40 p.m. The people, who weren’t identified by police, locked themselves in their cars while Mather yelled at them, police said. Mather allegedly slashed two tires.

He eventually ran off, jumping off a train platform as police chased him. Officer Louis Martigetti slipped on the icy platform during the chase, injuring himself.

Mather then allegedly turned on his pursuers. During a 25-minute standoff, Officer Paul Chalifour sustained a “serious laceration” while he was trying to remove the knife from Mather’s hand.

Pepper spray and so-called “sponge rounds” were used in an attempt to subdue Mather, but had no effect. Ultimately, an off-duty Concord police officer subdued Mather with a Taser.

Mather now faces charges of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous, disorderly, resisting arrest and malicious destruction.

Mather was briefly evaluated at a local hospital before being released and booked.

He is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Woburn District Court.

“Today, our police officers put themselves between civilians and a dangerous, armed suspect. They showed tremendous restraint in defense of human life, despite a suspect who seemed intent on doing harm to them and others,” Wilmington Police Chief Michael R. Begonis said in a statement.

Begonis said Mather was not previously known to police. An investigation into his motive is ongoing.