East Boston’s Kerwide Barthélemy, or ‘Lakay’ as he was known among close friends, was on his way to a bright future.
Barthélemy, and his longtime girlfriend were expecting their first child together and wondered if it would be a boy or a girl.
The Hatian-born Barthélemy, who came to the United States 13 years ago, had a good paying job as a security guard and hoped to one day join the Boston Police Department.
Most of all, his friends and family said Barthélemy had the uncanny ability to make others smile simply because of his positive attitude and infectious grin.
Sadly, Barthélemy was killed on Christmas Eve in Maverick Square–stabbed to death while protecting a friend according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
On New Year’s Eve, friends and family gathered at the corner of Maverick Square and Sumner Street to hold a candlelight vigil for the man they said was “eager and willing to be the first to offer help” to someone in need.
So it was no surprise, Barthélemy stepped in when he saw a friend in trouble. Many of his friends and family at the vigil said they were not surprised by his fearless instinct to intervene to help his friend and that he died a hero.
Last week Barthelemy’s alleged murderer Steven Hatfield, 36, of East Boston, was arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court. Judge John McDonald ordered Hatfield held without bail.
According to court documents Barthelemy died from a stab wound to the torso after he tried to break up a fight between two men in Maverick Square on Christmas Eve.
According to the DA’s office, police only had to go around the corner to go to find Hatfield after he ran from the scene outside the Burger King in Maverick Square where Barthelmy was found.
According to the DA’s office, Hatfield, who had blood on his clothing from the attack, fled into his South Bremen Street apartment building. Inside the building, he began to yell and behave in a manner that prompted the building’s security guard to call police. Boston Police who responded to the stabbing also arrived at the building after learning that Hatfield resided there.
“The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins. “For a loved one’s life to be ripped away on Christmas Eve inflicts additional pain during this already challenging time. The violence (this man) is accused of inflicting is deeply troubling. (He) will be held accountable for (his) actions. Just as importantly, my staff and I are here to ensure that Mr. Barthelemy’s loved ones have the services they deserve and may require at every step of their path in the legal process and on their journey toward healing.”
Hatfield is scheduled to return to court on January 28, 2021.