Crime

Man arrested on Cape for seemingly random stabbing of teen girl in Dollar Store

The teenager sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

November 8, 2024

1 minute to read

A man reportedly stabbed a teenager in a seemingly random act of violence at the Dollar Tree Store in Hyannis Thursday afternoon.

According to the Barnstable Police Department, Nikolas Rescigno, 31, of Hyannis, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily injury.

Barnstable Police Officers responded to the scene at around 12:38 p.m. According to witnesses, Rescigno approached the teenager from behind in the foyer of the store and, without warning, stabbed her in the lower backside as she stood next to her mother.

Rescigno is unknown to the teenager, and police say his attack appears to be random and unprovoked.

Witnesses also said that Rescigno stayed on the scene, staring at the victim, and eventually dropped the knife upon request from a bystander.

Barnstable Fire Department Rescue personnel transported the teenage girl to a local hospital, where she is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police transported Rescigno to the station, where he was booked and later charged.

Rescigno was also charged with an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court concerning another incident involving a knife at the Cape Cod Mall in May 2023.

The bail magistrate set his bail at $5,000. Rescigno is scheduled to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Friday.