Crime

Wakefield man stabbed woman with box cutter at Boston mall, police say

Christopher Baez, 36, was charged following the alleged attack at South Bay Center.

South Bay Center in 2018. Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe

By Madison Lucchesi

October 23, 2025

1 minute to read

A Wakefield man stabbed a woman with a box cutter at South Bay Center in Dorchester on Tuesday, police say.

Boston police received a report of a stabbing near 8 Allstate Road around 5:17 p.m.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered a man holding a box cutter in his left hand.

The suspect refused to drop the weapon after an officer ordered him to, police reported. The suspect then reportedly began swinging the weapon around and moving closer to the police officers, police say.

After police continuously ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, the suspect complied and was taken into custody, police reported.

The female victim was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, police say.

Christopher Baez, 36, of Wakefield, was charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to court documents.

Bail was set at $25,000, and Baez will be subject to house arrest with GPS monitoring and must complete a stay at Bridgewater State Hospital for an evaluation for his competence to stand trial, according to court documents.