Stabbing Spree
Multiple Girls Stabbed in Baintree Movie Theater, Suspect Arrested
The incident has shocked the local community and prompted a swift response from law enforcement.
BRAINTREE, Mass. — A 26-year-old man, Jared Ravizza, has been arrested following a violent stabbing spree that left six people injured, including four young girls at an AMC movie theater in Braintree, Massachusetts.
The Incident
The attack took place at the AMC Braintree 10 theater located at 121 Grandview Ave. According to police reports, Ravizza entered the theater around 6 p.m. without purchasing a ticket. He proceeded to one of the screening rooms where he encountered four girls, aged between 9 and 17. Without any provocation or warning, Ravizza launched a brutal attack, stabbing the girls multiple times. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the suspect laughing as he carried out the assault.
Lisa Dembowski, the mother of three of the victims, recounted the harrowing experience. "They had just taken their seats and purchased their concessions. He came up behind them in the second row. My eldest daughter was leaned over, and he attacked her in the back. My second daughter was stabbed in the chest, and my youngest was across her arm," Dembowski said, her voice trembling with emotion. "He was laughing the entire time. Then he attacked their friend and fled the scene."
Immediate Aftermath
Following the attack, Ravizza fled the theater in a black SUV. The girls sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were quickly transported to Boston area hospitals for treatment. The theater was placed on lockdown, and witnesses were evacuated as police began their investigation.
Connection to Plymouth Stabbings
Approximately an hour after the Braintree incident, Massachusetts State Police responded to another stabbing at a McDonald's in Plymouth, located at a Route 3 rest area. Two employees, a 21-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, were attacked. Surveillance footage showed Ravizza reaching through the drive-thru window and stabbing the male employee before entering the restaurant and attacking the female employee. Both victims were also transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Arrest and Charges
A witness at the McDonald's managed to obtain the license plate number of Ravizza's vehicle, which was later traced back to him. State Police pursued the suspect's vehicle, which ended in a crash in Sandwich, about 45 miles south of Braintree. Ravizza was taken into custody and is currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at South Shore Hospital.
Ravizza faces multiple charges, including assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Plymouth District Court on Tuesday.
Community Reaction
The violent spree has left the Braintree community in shock. Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce expressed her concern and support for the victims and their families. "This senseless act of violence has deeply affected our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time," Joyce said in a statement.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the incidents is ongoing, with both state and local law enforcement agencies actively involved. Authorities are also looking into a possible connection between Ravizza and a separate incident in Connecticut, where an individual was found dead in Deep River. However, Massachusetts State Police have not confirmed any link between Ravizza and the Connecticut case.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jared Ravizza has brought some relief to the community, but the trauma of the attacks will linger. As the investigation continues, residents of Braintree and the surrounding areas are left grappling with the aftermath of this unprovoked violence. The swift response by law enforcement and the bravery of witnesses who helped identify the suspect have been crucial in bringing this dangerous individual into custody.