On Monday, Mar. 14, police responded to a call at the MBTA’s Ashmont Station to investigate a stabbing. Two juveniles were injured in the altercation; both suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
One boy was stabbed in the leg, and the other suffered a “superficial injury.” One individual was treated at the scene and later taken to a local hospital, according to Boston Emergency Medical Services.
One eyewitness interviewed with NewsCenter 5, sharing their feelings on the experience.
“It’s bad. It’s something that people shouldn’t have to see,” said the witness. “There’s a pool of blood over there. It’s traumatic, especially for little kids. They should not have to see that stuff around here.”
Whilst police investigated the scene, the MBTA temporarily stopped all train services in the area and substituted shuttle services. Around 4 p.m., the MBTA alerted the public that they were replacing the Mattapan Line trains with shuttles to allow police to work, and for personnel to clean up hazardous damage caused in the incident; specifically, a glass panel that was shattered during the struggle.
The MBTA reopened the Mattapan line around 8:30 p.m. However, no individuals have been arrested despite transit police closing their investigation at the scene.
Only a day later, another violent incident threatened the lives of Dorchester students and faculty.
On Tuesday, Mar. 15, a high school student and a teacher were shot whilst preparing for a school event in Dorchester. The two victims were with a group of individuals in the TechBoston Academy parking lot when shots were fired at around 5:40 p.m.
The 31-year-old teacher and 17-year-old student suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were brought to the hospital for treatment.
A new neighbor, Thuy Lei, reported hearing six or seven gunshots let out as she moved into her new apartment. Despite this incident being her welcoming to the neighborhood, Lei has said that she doesn’t have concerns for herself but is alarmed for the children of the school.
The shooter has yet to be identified.
Many city officials, including Mayor Michelle Wu, described the incident as “disturbing” and assured the community that actions will be taken to address these incidents of violence.
Acting Boston Police Commissioner Gregory Long gave a somber commentary on the incident: “Obviously this is a very concerning and disturbing set of circumstances. Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for our students and our teachers, not a place where they are subjected to brazen and random acts of violence.”
Mayor Wu connected with school staff to discuss next steps following the shooting. By Tuesday night, Neighborhood Trauma Teams arrived at the school for support. Due to the incident, TechBoston Academy canceled school on Wednesday, Mar. 16, but counseling remained available.
Wu cited her support of the staff as they handle the severity of the disturbing issue: “I’m very confident that the superintendent and her team, the commissioner, and all of the officers who have been on site, and all the many social and emotional support teams that are in place are well prepared to ensure that tomorrow morning, bright and early, there will be support sites here and we will have the whole force of the city ready here.”
The shooting marks the second unsettling incident at the school within the week, as Ernest Logan, a technician at the school, was brought up on charges for soliciting “sexual images” from a minor.