Boston Public Schools custodian charged with assaulting three other school employees

BOSTON, December 4, 2024 – A Boston Public Schools employee was arraigned in Dorchester BMC Tuesday after assaulting three Mildred Avenue School employees in October, resulting in serious injuries, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.   

GREGORY WATFORD, 46, of Brockton was charged with assault and battery on a person over 60 and three counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. Judge Jonathan Tynes released Watford on personal recognizance with GPS monitoring and ordered him to stay away from the school.  

Watford is due back in court on January 17, 2025 for a pre-trial hearing.

At about 10:47 a.m. on October 10, Boston police responded to the Mildred Avenue School for an assault. Police spoke to the victims - two school custodians and one safety officer - who reported being assaulted by their former colleague, later identified as Watford. The school custodians informed police they were in the front of the school raking leaves when Watford approached them in an aggressive manner. They said Watford began attacking them while stating “you all cost me money.”

Watford punched the first victim in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, resulting in a broken ankle and leg. Watford then punched the second victim in the head and threw him to the ground, resulting in a fractured jaw. The school’s safety officer came outside to intervene and de-escalate the situation. Watford then tried to get inside the school building but the safety officer blocked the doorway. Watson then swung at her, hitting her hand and knocking her phone to the ground. Watford then swung the door open, striking the officer in the left shoulder, resulting in a fractured clavicle.

Watford fled the scene before police arrived. A warrant was issued for Watford’s arrest.

“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. I wish the three victims a thorough recovery and our office will provide all the support they require as this case moves forward,” Hayden said.

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 justice 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.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications