Teen Charged in Assault on Bus Driver
BOSTON, September 2, 2022—A teen was arraigned today on charges he assaulted an Orange Line shuttle driver, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
The 15-year-old is not being identified due to his age. He was arraigned in the South Boston division of the Boston Juvenile Court on charges of delinquency, to wit: assault and battery and delinquency, to wit: assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was released on his own recognizance with orders to stay away from, have no contact with and not abuse the victim; stay away from co-defendants; stay away from public transit; and to obey all local, state and federal laws.
The juvenile is charged with participating alongside other individuals in a group assault on the operator of a bus providing shuttle service along the MBTA’s Orange Line. Prosecutors told the court that the driver ordered a group of approximately nine young people to exit the bus at Jackson Square station due to the group’s unruly behavior. One individual, identified through video footage as the charged juvenile, assaulted the driver before exiting the bus. The driver then stepped off of the bus and was assaulted by members of the group. The victim fell to the ground and was repeatedly kicked, punched and stomped.
Two Boston Police officers in the area were able to separate the victim from his attackers, who fled the location. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
The charged juvenile left a red Nike backpack at the scene as he fled. A school ID card was found inside the bag. The same juvenile returned to the station later that same day and approached a Transit Police officer to report that he had left his red Nike backpack at the station earlier in the day. He was transported to Transit Police Headquarters to await the arrival of an interested adult. He was ultimately placed under arrest.
“Our initial approach to juvenile offenses is to seek services intended to address the factors contributing to a young person’s actions. The allegations in this case are serious. In cases such as this, the juvenile legal system provides additional resources and approaches to address youth violence while helping ensure the safety of the community and the rights of victims,” Hayden said.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.