Overview
- Police say a 45-year-old patient attacked another patient with a sharp object in the Nichols Building on Monday and is set to be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court.
- The altercation occurred in a unit that houses a second-step detox program run by Beth Israel Lahey Health, and staff separated the men before officers arrived.
- The case marks the fourth violent episode on the hospital campus since April 7, highlighting a rapid rise in safety incidents reported to local police.
- Earlier this month the hospital barred security staff from carrying pepper gel, batons, and handcuffs to support a de-escalation model, which nurses and town officials say leaves workers less protected.
- Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus cited daily safety risks and said the suspect reportedly has 129 criminal record entries, as Gov. Maura Healey has directed Public Safety Secretary Gina Kwon to engage on the issue.