Pittsfield Police Arrest Man Allegedly Involved in Fatal Stabbing
Update: Josiah Helmer, age 27, was arraigned for murder on Friday in Central Berkshire District Court and held without the right of bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 10.
PITTSFILED, Mass. — A 27-year-old city man has been arrested in Tuesday's fatal stabbing.
Multiple law enforcement officers arrested Josiah Helmer on Thursday at a residence on Dalton Avenue on an outstanding warrant charging him with murder.
The charge stemmed from the stabbing that occurred on Melville Street on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 12. Police responded at about 10:45 p.m. to the report of a stabbing on Melville Street, near the intersection with First Street. A 42-year-old man, whose identity was not disclosed, was found at the scene. Officers, firefighters and Action Ambulance Personnel provided the victim with emergency medical care and he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where he later died.
Helmer was booked and is expected to be arraigned in Pittsfield District Court later Friday.
The collaborative investigation after the homicide led to the suspect's apprehension less than 48 hours after his violent crime. The investigation and arrest were effectuated by the following agencies and departments:
- PPD Detective Bureau
- PPD Drug Unit
- PPD Anti-Crime Unit
- PPD Patrol Division
- Berkshire County Special Response Team
- Berkshire County Sheriff's Department
- Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit Assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office
Anyone who wishes to provide information on this case is asked to contact Detective Neil Goodrich at 413-448-9700 x554. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to
TIP411 (847411).
Tags: homicide, murder, stabbing,
