06.06.2026 14:20
A dispute at a lake in Massachusetts ended in murder. A 70-year-old man tried to drown a younger man walking with crutches. It sparked outrage on social media. What happened was horrifying.
In the state of Massachusetts in the United States, a dispute over lake use nearly ended in murder. In the incident at Maspenock Lake in Hopkinton, 70-year-old Steven Dana tried to drown 21-year-old Matt Duffy, who was walking with crutches, by pushing him into the water.
The horrifying moments captured on bystanders' cell phone cameras sparked outrage on social media. The incident occurred in the Sandy Beach area during the evening hours.
Matt Duffy, who had recently suffered a severe motorcycle accident that left his arms and legs broken, forcing him to use crutches, was jet skiing on the lake with his friends.
At that moment, local resident Steven Dana approached them, claiming the lake was only open to residents living in that area and began arguing with the young people. Believing the youths were not from the town, the elderly man suddenly flew into a rage. According to eyewitness accounts, Dana first slapped Duffy, who was physically unable to defend himself, and then pushed the young man into the water.
Once in the lake, the assailant climbed on top of the young man and pushed Duffy's head underwater, preventing him from breathing. Describing the terrifying moments he experienced, Matt Duffy said, "He pushed me into the water and lunged at me. He held my head under the water and wouldn't let me breathe. Because of the accident, I couldn't use my arms or legs. All I could do was pray that my friends would save me."
Nearby friends quickly intervened and pulled the 70-year-old man off Duffy. Police arrived at the scene and apprehended Steven Dana, taking him into custody.
At his court hearing, Steven Dana was charged with "attempted murder," "intentional injury by strangulation/suffocation," and "assault on a disabled individual." He denied the charges. However, it is noted that if found guilty, the elderly man could face more than 20 years in prison.