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Boston Public Schools custodian seriously injured former colleagues in ‘disturbing’ attack, DA says
Three employees at Mildred Avenue K–8 School were left with broken bones after Gregory Watford allegedly assaulted them, prosecutors said.
A Brockton man who worked as a Boston Public Schools custodian pleaded not guilty Tuesday to assaulting and seriously injuring three former colleagues back in October, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Gregory Watford, 46, faces one charge of assault and battery on a person over 60 and three counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, the DA’s office said in a news release. Watford was arraigned Tuesday in the Boston Municipal Court’s Dorchester Division, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Boston police responded to the alleged assaults at Mildred Avenue K–8 School in Mattapan around 10:47 a.m. Oct. 10, the DA’s office said. There, two school custodians and a safety officer allegedly told police their former colleague — later identified as Watford — was to blame for the violent attacks.
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According to prosecutors, the wounded custodians reported that Watford approached them “in an aggressive manner” as they were raking leaves in front of the school and began attacking them while stating, “You all cost me money.”
Watford allegedly punched one of the custodians in the head and caused him to fall, resulting in a broken leg and ankle, the DA’s office said. According to prosecutors, he then punched the second custodian in the head and threw him to the ground, allegedly resulting in a fractured jaw.
The school’s safety officer came outside to intervene and deescalate the situation, blocking the doorway when Watford tried to enter the school, the DA’s office alleged. Watson purportedly took a swing at her, hitting her hand and knocking her phone to the ground. He then swung the door open, striking the officer in the shoulder and resulting in a fractured clavicle, prosecutors said.
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Watford allegedly fled the scene before police arrived, and authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. Following his arraignment Tuesday, Judge Jonathan Tynes released Watford on personal recognizance with GPS monitoring and ordered him to stay away from the school, the DA’s office said. Online court records also show Watford has been ordered to stay away from and have no contact with alleged victims or witnesses.
“This is a complicated case where there are longstanding issues between all of the parties involved,” Watford’s attorney, Casey Riley, said in a statement. “As the case progresses, more facts will come out that demonstrate Mr. Watford’s innocence.”
Boston Public Schools said it is aware of the charges against Watford, who no longer works for the district.
“As the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities, allegations of this nature are taken very seriously,” the BPS statement read. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to ensure a safe environment in all our schools.”
The district declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal case.
“This violent incident is particularly disturbing because it happened on the grounds of a public school, which is both a workplace and a safety zone for students,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “I wish the three victims a thorough recovery and our office will provide all the support they require as this case moves forward.”
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Watford is due back in court Jan. 17.
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