Norwood – police will not seek charges on a man who allegedly pulled a knife on a Norwood resident after a confrontation.
On Friday, September 19, 2025, Norwood police officers were flagged down by a resident who saw a man dragging a mattress in the woods.
The incident allegedly occurred along the wooded area on Pleasant St (near Cross St). The resident confronted the subject who police later identified as Luke Shea, according to the report. An argument ensued and Shea allegedly “drew the aforementioned knife from his pocket and held it by his side while arguing” according to the Norwood Police report.
According to the police report, Norwood officers “drew [their] our department issued firearms, ordered Shea to the ground, and detained him in handcuffs. I pat frisked Shea and removed a small pocket knife from his right pants pocket.”
Police say that Shea claimed he moved the “mattress into the woods in order to build a fort when he was confronted” by the resident. During their investigation, police learned that the resident never exited his car and did not feel threatened by Shea. In fact, police say the resident “continued to engage with Shea even after the knife had been introduced.” Shea claimed he brandished the knife because he feared an assault by the resident, according to the police report.
Inside Norwood conducted an interview with the resident who asked to not be identified. The resident stated he confronted the subject as he was dragging the mattress into the woods in order to “dump it.” The resident describes Shea as an adult, and questions why an adult would want to build a fort in the woods using a mattress.
The resident also said he was surprised that the police did not seek criminal charges against Shea. “I feel like maybe they [the police] should have done something. It’s not a normal reaction for somebody to pull out a knife” the victim tells Inside Norwood. However, according to their report, police officers noted the resident “did not wish to pursue criminal charges” against Shea.
In an email, Norwood Police Chief Chris Padden told Inside Norwood that it’s pointless to file criminal charges when the witness does not want to pursue them.
Shea was subsequently released and instructed to remove the mattress from the wooded area. At the time of their report, police say they are not seeking criminal charges against either person.
Luke Shea could not be reached for comment. -RD