Brockton road rage stabbing victim dies from injuries

The 41-year-old Brockton woman stabbed in a road rage incident Friday in Brockton died from her injuries on Saturday.

BROCKTON – Leaving behind a young son, a Brockton mother died in a hospital on Saturday afternoon, after police said she was stabbed in the neck by a Fall River woman a day earlier during a road rage incident.

And now the assault charges against the suspect have been upgraded to murder, according to the Plymouth County district attorney's office.

Jennifer Landry of Brockton was identified as the victim of a stabbing attack that occurred Friday afternoon during a traffic-related confrontation near Belmont and Grafton streets. The DA's office announced that Landry died Saturday as a result of her injuries, after she was first rushed to Good Samaritan Medical Center, then transported on a helicopter to Boston Medical Center. She was 41 years old.

Devastated family members and friends expressed sorrow and shock over Landry's death. Landry was the mother of a 13-year-old son. In addition, she is survived by her sisters, Denise Landry and Kristine Burke.

"This wasn't supposed to happen to her," wrote sister Denise Landry, in a post shared on Facebook. "Not my baby sis. ... I'm defeated but I love my sister with all my heart."

Jacqueline Mendes, 32, of Fall River, is now being charged with murder. The DA's office said Mendes drove away from the scene of the stabbing, but then turned herself in at the Brockton police station within about 15 minutes.

Mendes was initially charged with just assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. She is expected to face a murder charge and the assault charges at an arraignment today in Brockton District Court.

Brockton police said the fatal assault, motivated by a road rage dispute, took place shortly before 3:45 p.m., and that Mendes showed up at the downtown police station at 4 p.m. Police first at the scene of the stabbing found Landry bleeding heavily from the neck. A man who lives in the neighborhood, Neil Johnson, said he jumped out of a swimming pool and rushed to help, applying a towel to the wound. A red folding knife was found at the scene.

"(Mendes) reported to the Brockton police station and informed police that she had been involved in an incident," according to statement from Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. "State police detectives and Brockton police developed information that a traffic confrontation ensued between Mendes and Landry prior to the stabbing. Mendes allegedly stabbed Landry with a knife and reentered her vehicle and fled the scene."

The homicide is the city's third of 2019.

Those who knew Landry said they don't want Mendes to get away with it, insisting that she be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"The people that care about her – we're not going to rest until Jacqueline is brought to justice," said Heather Niles, a friend of Landry's sister, Denise. "All too often things like this happen and it seems like the system ends up failing the victim. Justice needs to be served. This girl needs to pay for what she did and pay appropriately. It's mind-blowing to me. It's two families destroyed now because someone couldn't keep a hold of their anger."

Niles said she remembers Landry for her kind, caring demeanor, and that the Brockton mom loved her family.

"She was a sweet girl," Niles said. "She was funny. She had a kind heart. She cared about everybody. She didn't have an unkind bone in her body. For something like this to happen, over something so ridiculous, just doesn't make any sense."