Juveniles charged for attacking stranger in Downtown Crossing
BOSTON, August 16, 2023 – Three Boston teens appeared in Boston Juvenile Court Tuesday for attacking a man in Downtown Crossing on Monday, leaving him with bruises and lacerations, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
A 14-year-old boy was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), assault and battery, and assault and battery on a police officer. A second juvenile, a 15-year-old boy, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot).
Judge Peter Coyne ordered both juveniles held on $500 bail and to stay away from Downtown Crossing and the victim.
Prosecutors delayed charging the third juvenile, a 14-year-old boy, pending further review of video evidence and witness statements.
At about 8:17 p.m. on Monday, Boston Police responded to 375 Washington Street for an assault and battery in progress. Officers observed the victim, an adult man, being evaluated by Boston EMS for bruising to his left eye and lacerations near both eyelids and on his left hand.
The victim said he was walking on Washington Street while talking on his cellphone when he made eye contact with one of the juveniles who asked him “Why are you f---ing staring at me?” The victim started running away when he noticed a large group running behind him. The victim fell and was struck a couple of times, got back up but fell over again and was struck numerous times by a group of people. The victim told officers he was also kicked in the back during the attack.
Detectives photographed the victims injuries, including what appeared to be a red outline of a shoeprint on the victim’s back.
A witness showed officers a photo of one of the attackers, later identified as a 14-year-old juvenile, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and red sneakers, riding a blue city bike. While showing the photo, the witness alerted officers that the juvenile was right behind their cruiser. The juvenile fled on the bike toward School Street. As the juvenile approached multiple officers near the McDonald’s on Washington Street, he jumped off the bike and pushed it into an officer and fled on foot. The officer sustained a scrape on his arm but did not seek medical attention. Officers chased the juvenile and apprehended him at the intersection of Washington and School streets. Officers recovered a black Husky folding knife with a 3-inch blade from the juvenile’s pants pocket.
Other witnesses said they observed the victim being chased and attacked by a group of teenagers. The group dispersed when witnesses made their way over to help the victim. The other two juveniles charged were identified as being part of the group.
“We’ve seen several unprovoked attacks from juveniles in Downtown Crossing over the last few weeks. These violent attacks are instilling fear in business owners and residents. Although this victim did not require further medical treatment, the trauma he experienced is always a concern. I commend the witnesses who stepped up to help police identify as many assailants as possible so they can be held accountable,” Hayden said.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications