A STEAK family dinner led to a son fatally stabbing his mother’s boyfriend, according to police.
Andrew Horsman, 41, was arrested after authorities say he stabbed Paul Pomerleau 17 times.
After the stabbing, Horsman then doused Pomerleau, his mother’s boyfriend, in lighter fluid and fled the scene of the crime.
Witnesses said that an argument took place while the family was cooking steaks in their Massachusetts home on Saturday.
Investigators stated that Horsman allegedly approached 66-year-old Pomerleau, stabbed him, and doused him in lighter fluid before being stopped by another family member.
Horsman then ran out of the house.
At the scene, police found Pomerleau on the floor surrounded by blood.
Horsman allegedly stabbed him nearly 20 times.
Officers also discovered a knife and gallon of lighter fluid.
“The victim had a number of stab wounds all over his body,” Assistant District Attorney Nicole Piacentini said.
“He had 10 in his torso, two in his right arm and five in his back.”
Pomerleau died from his injuries at the hospital just an hour later, while Horsman was found and arrested, Middleborough police said in a statement.
“Many family members are here today, and they are obviously very upset,” said Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz following Horsman’s hearing, according to The Enterprise.
“This is a tragic situation for the family.”
The spat allegedly wasn’t the first between the pair.
Pomerleau opposed Horsman moving back in with his mother, according to Piacentini, causing fights between the two men.
Police Statement
Middleborough Man Under Arrest for Stabbing Murder
June 29, 2025
A Middleborough man has been placed under arrest and charged with the stabbing death of another individual, as announced by Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Middleborough Police Chief Robert Ferreira.
At approximately 8:03 p.m. last night, Middleborough Police received multiple 911 calls for a report of a fight and a man stabbed at a residence at 19 Fairview Street. Middleborough Police and emergency medical personnel responded and located a man suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to Morton Hospital where he was pronounced dead of his injuries at 8:52 p.m. He has been identified as 66 year-old Paul Pomerleau.
After witness interviews, Middleborough Police determined that Andrew Horsman, 41, was identified as the suspect and taken into custody in close proximity to the residence, without incident.
Middleborough Police contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and an investigation commenced. Detectives interviewed several witnesses on scene who reported that an argument at the home led to the stabbing.
As a result of the investigation, detectives sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Horsman and he was charged with one count of Murder.
Pomerleau, the victim, was in a long-term relationship with the defendant’s mother.
Horsman is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge in Wareham District Court tomorrow.
Horsman pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
According to his attorney, Horsman faced domestic violence in the household and “the history wasn’t always peaceful.”
“I think when the story fully comes out, it’ll be clear that this wasn’t a random act of violence, as the Commonwealth suggested, but frankly a response to years of suffering,” attorney Joshua Wood said.
“These people knew each other. There was a long relationship here and I think that’s important.”
Pomerleau’s twin brother, Peter Pomerleau, stood outside court with tears in his eyes, claiming that his sibling had raised the now suspected killer.
It is not immediately clear how long Horsman’s mother and the victim had been together before his death, or why the two were fighting over steaks.
“I’m really going to miss him,” he said.
“He took in Andy, who was not his child.”
Horsman is being held without bail and his next hearing date was scheduled for July 28, 2025.
