Police search for attacker in string of 10 unprovoked assaults in Massachusetts suburb

Kerry Feltner | Wicked Local

WALTHAM, Mass. – Over the span of 22 days there have been at least 10 confirmed, unprovoked, violent and random assaults throughout the Boston suburb of Waltham.

The victims, all men, are hit so hard on the head with some sort of blunt object that they are often knocked to the ground and require medical attention.

An additional, similar assault was reported to police through an anonymous tip line.

“There is definitely a fear factor in our city right now,” said Detective Sgt. Stephen McCarthy, the lead investigator. “We have never experienced anything like this. I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t losing sleep at night. This is an awful situation but I am very confident that we will work through this and we will find the people or persons responsible.”

At a Tuesday press conference, Waltham Police Chief Keith MacPherson announced the city will give a $5,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest or conviction for the person or people responsible for these crimes.

“The motive is somewhat in question, but it appears to be the thrill of the assault, someone who is very violent and who enjoys seeing someone hurt,” he said.

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Random attacks

The earliest attack happened at 5:30 p.m. and the latest at 11:30 p.m. with the initial attacks occurring in the GardenCrest apartment complex and subsequent attacks in downtown Waltham, police said.

The person responsible has been attacking many of the victims from behind, lying in wait until they can surprise and hurt them. Due to the nature of the attacks, a description of the attacker has been hard to obtain, however multiple victims have described the assailant as a Black male between 5 feet, 5 inches and 6 feet tall.

“Waltham is a pretty safe place and all of a sudden over a two-week period we have 10 people hit with a blunt object in their head, in their eyes … serious injuries,” said Mayor Jeannette McCarthy. “We’re all very afraid.”

Victims range in age from 20 to mid-to-late 40s and are of different races. The injuries have been serious: blunt force trauma resulting in facial fractures, nose fractures and lacerations to the face.

The assaults have been surprising for a number of reasons but one in particular according to Detective Sgt. McCarthy.

“The degree of randomness,” he said. “We have never had a situation like this in the city before so it is a real concern.”

MacPherson recalled a blunt head trauma that killed a 19-year-old student at Emerson College last year when asked about the seriousness of the injuries of victims.

“There’s definitely the potential for serious injury or death,” he said.

Victims have been hospitalized due to blunt force trauma but none of the victims is currently in the hospital at this time.

“It’s [finding the assailant] the No. 1 priority because everybody’s had it with the pandemic so they go out for their walks and now even on the walks you have to be very careful,” the mayor said. “The person is very quick. You could just be walking and all of a sudden you’re conked on the head.”

There have been no robberies connected with the assaults. The assailant has gotten away from the area pretty quickly and at this point, police do not have a suspect.

“We are once again asking for the public’s help in identifying this person or persons responsible for these violent and cowardly acts,” MacPherson said.

Drone units deployed for enhanced surveillance

The department does have persons of interest – based on tips and their own investigation – that they are investigating at this time.

Residents have been calling her to inquire about the safety of the city, Mayor McCarthy said.

“They’re calling,” she said. “It’s a full effort. The Waltham Police do an excellent job, but we have help too.

MacPherson said that the police believe the suspect or suspects are informing someone of their actions.

“These incidents aren’t occurring in a vacuum,” he said. “The suspects or suspect are sharing the information with people they are close to, so we think.”

The Waltham Police Department has dramatically increased its downtown patrol presence in both uniform and in plainclothes, in vehicles and on foot.

The department has also deployed several drone units to provide enhanced surveillance throughout the impacted areas, according to MacPherson. If there was an assault seen on the footage from the drone, police could potentially track the suspect thanks to the technology.

“We’re going to get them, whoever they are,” the mayor said.

Contributing: Mark Pratt, Associated Press

Follow reporter Kerry Feltner on Twitter: @KerryFeltner

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