Authorities say a dispute over residency and lake access led to an alleged attempted drowning at a public boat ramp.
HOPKINTON, Mass. — A 70-year-old Massachusetts man is facing attempted murder and other felony charges after police said he attacked a 21-year-old man using crutches and held him underwater during a confrontation at Lake Maspenock on June 3. Officers responded to the scene shortly before 7 p.m. and arrested the suspect after reviewing witness accounts and video of the incident.
The case has drawn attention because of the severity of the allegations and the physical condition of the alleged victim. Investigators say the confrontation began as an argument over whether the younger man was permitted to use a boat ramp reserved for Hopkinton residents during the summer season. Prosecutors allege the dispute escalated into a violent attack that could have ended in death before bystanders intervened. The defendant now faces multiple charges while the court process continues.
According to police, Steven Dana confronted a group of young men at Sandy Beach near Lake Maspenock after becoming upset about their use of a boat ramp on Lakeshore Drive. The ramp serves a lake that straddles the Hopkinton and Milford line and is restricted to Hopkinton residents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Witness video captured part of the confrontation. Investigators said Dana repeatedly challenged the group and told them, “It’s time to go.” The alleged victim, identified as 21-year-old Matt Duffy, remained at the location and argued that he was entitled to use the lake. Authorities said the verbal exchange became increasingly heated before Dana approached Duffy directly. Video reviewed by police allegedly shows Dana striking Duffy across the face before the confrontation moved into the water.
Police said Duffy had been recovering from a serious motorcycle crash and was using crutches at the time of the incident. Investigators allege that after the two men entered the water, Dana forcefully held Duffy underwater while the younger man struggled to free himself. Duffy later said he feared for his life because injuries from the earlier crash left him unable to fully defend himself. He said broken bones in his arms and leg limited his ability to fight back while submerged. Witnesses at the scene reportedly rushed toward the pair and pulled Dana away, ending the struggle. Officers arriving shortly afterward reviewed video footage and interviewed those present. Both men declined medical treatment at the scene. Authorities have not reported any life-threatening injuries resulting from the altercation.
The confrontation occurred against the backdrop of a recurring local issue involving access to Lake Maspenock. The lake is a popular destination for boating and personal watercraft activities during the summer months. Town rules restrict use of certain facilities, including the boat ramp involved in the dispute. Police said Dana believed Duffy was not a Hopkinton resident and challenged him over the use of the facility. Investigators have not publicly disclosed whether residency records played any role in the criminal case. Instead, authorities focused on the physical confrontation and the actions captured on video. Deputy Police Chief Scott van Raalten described the incident as “senseless violence” and said residents should report concerns about bylaw enforcement through proper channels rather than confronting people themselves. The department credited responding officers with securing evidence and stabilizing a rapidly evolving situation.
Dana was charged with attempted murder, strangulation or suffocation-related offenses, and assault and battery on a disabled person. Court proceedings began shortly after his arrest. Prosecutors argued that the allegations warranted serious consideration because of the circumstances described by witnesses and shown in video recordings. Following initial hearings, a judge ordered Dana released on a $7,500 cash bond after a dangerousness proceeding. The release drew criticism from Duffy, who said he was frustrated that the man accused of attacking him was no longer being held. The criminal case remains active, and prosecutors are expected to continue reviewing evidence, including witness statements and video footage. Additional court appearances are expected as the case moves through the Massachusetts judicial system.
The scene at Sandy Beach shifted quickly from a dispute about lake access to a confrontation witnessed by several people. Video recorded by one of Duffy’s friends captured much of the exchange and became a key piece of evidence for investigators. Friends who were present said they stepped in when they realized the struggle in the water had become dangerous. Duffy later recalled praying that the attack would stop or that someone would pull the older man away. Community reaction has centered on the dramatic nature of the footage and the seriousness of the charges. Residents and observers have debated the underlying disagreement over access to the lake, but police have emphasized that the criminal investigation focuses on the alleged assault rather than the residency dispute itself. As the legal process unfolds, both the defendant and the alleged victim remain at the center of a case that has drawn statewide attention.
The case remains pending in Massachusetts court. Investigators have gathered witness statements and video evidence, and future hearings are expected to determine how prosecutors proceed. For now, Dana remains charged while Duffy continues recovering from injuries that predated the incident, and the next court dates will mark the next major step in the prosecution.
Author note: Last updated June 6, 2026.