A Gardner teen allegedly attacked several people, including a 78-year-old man, on a residential street
The juvenile is facing multiple charges.
A Gardner teen was charged last week after authorities say he attacked several people while naked and “in an altered mental state,” including a 78-year-old deaf man who suffered critical injuries.
The suspect, whose name was not released because he is minor, faces charges of assault and battery on a person over 60, assault and battery, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and open and gross lewdness, WHDH reports.
Gardner police responded to a report of a male assaulting people near Conant Street on May 14 and found the juvenile in a wooded area, where officers used a stun gun to subdue him and take him into custody, according to the news station. He was brought to a nearby hospital for an evaluation.
Steven Couture told WHDH that his father, an elderly man who suffers from hearing loss, was leaving his home to take out the trash when he was attacked.
“He needs a cane, so it was easy for this kid to jump on his back and throw him off the porch,” Couture said.
His father was brought to a hospital in critical condition, he said.
“He was beaten savagely. They broke his neck, they broke his facial bones,” Couture told the news station. “He was evacuated to a trauma center in Worcester.”
According to WHDH, several others were injured in the incident. Local resident Faye Backhoff’s daughter and a group of her friends came in close contact with the teen but managed to escape him, she said.
“They were horrified, they were scared for their life,” said Backhoff, who called 911. “It was bad and I wasn’t out there to protect my daughter.”
Courture told WHDH he is disappointed the juvenile was later released from custody.
“I understand that he has been charged and is out on bail,” he said. “My father is not out. He’s still in intensive care.”
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