26-Year-Old Man Accused in Massachusetts Stabbing Spree Ordered to Undergo Evaluation

A 26-year-old man accused in a weekend stabbing spree in Massachusetts that injured six people, including four girls, was ordered to undergo a court-ordered evaluation Tuesday.

Jared Ravizza, 26, is accused of attacking four girls at a movie theater in Braintree and stabbing two employees of a McDonald's at a rest stop in Plymouth. He was arrested Saturday after a car chase that ended when he crashed his 2018 black Porsche Macan.

Jared Ravizza Stands with a Guard During His Arraignment

Jared Ravizza during his arraignment in Plymouth, Mass., on Tuesday. Steven Senne / AP Pool

A judge granted a request from Ravizza's court-appointed attorney for a competency evaluation at his arraignment Tuesday in Plymouth. He did not enter a plea, and his attorney declined a request for comment.

In Plymouth, Ravizza has been charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of armed assault to murder, and one count of indecent exposure.

A criminal complaint filed in Braintree charged Ravizza with four counts of assault to murder, as well as four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Connecticut State Police said Tuesday that Ravizza is also tied to the investigation of a death Saturday afternoon in Deep River.

2 McDonald's Employees Stabbed in Plymouth

Massachusetts State Police and Plymouth police officers responded to a McDonald's on Saturday night after calls reported that a customer had stabbed two employees.

According to witness interviews and security video, Ravizza pulled up to the drive-thru window at 6:52 p.m., got into a verbal argument with an employee working the window, Igor Marques, and stabbed him roughly one minute later, police said.

Marques told police that he and a co-worker were prepping Ravizza's order — two double cheeseburgers, a small order of french fries, and a McFlurry. When Ravizza pulled up to the window, he demanded silverware and ordered Marques to remove all the items from the bag to ensure his order was correct, according to officials.

Officials said Ravizza went to grab the bag, which is when Marques said he pulled back, and Ravizza lunged forward with a knife. Security video described in the criminal complaint seemed to corroborate Marques' witness statement.

According to the criminal complaint, the slash wound on Marques' arm was about 3.5 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters deep.

Marques rushed outside to call his supervisor and police. One of his co-workers told police he fled into another room to call for help and heard someone yelling "stop" and "don't do this," authorities said.

Another employee who was working the front told police that Ravizza pulled his car around and parked outside after Marques was wounded, authorities said. They said he walked into the building with a knife and stabbed another employee, Eliamny Garcia.

Police interviewed Garcia at the hospital, where staff members told police she suffered three stab wounds. She required four stitches in the largest wound on her upper left arm.

According to police, Garcia said Ravizza walked in holding the knife above his head and started to rush toward her. She was stabbed as she ran to the back of the restaurant, where she hid until authorities arrived, the complaint said.

A woman told officials she saw a man matching Ravizza's description expose himself and urinate outside a Porsche in the drive-thru line. She compared the look on his face to "Jack Nicholson's expression in 'The Shining.'" He told her he had to pee and gestured with his middle finger at her, police said.

The woman told authorities that she saw the man swinging a large knife and that his upper torso was partly outside his driver's window.

Authorities Tie Ravizza to Movie Theater Stabbing

Authorities believe Ravizza was involved in two other incidents before the stabbing in Plymouth.

An hour before the violence at McDonald's, police responded to a stabbing about 30 miles north at a movie theater in Braintree. Authorities, who did not provide details about the alleged assault in the criminal complaint, said four girls ages 9 to 17 were attacked "without saying anything and without any warning."

Lisa Dembowski told NBC Boston that her three daughters were going to see "If" with a friend when a man came up behind them as they were sitting down.

“The two younger ones, I think, are just handling it, I think, a little better,” Dembowski said. “The older one is very protective of them, and she is just more worried just in general about them and how they’re going to be doing.”

The girls are expected to recover physically, but Dembowski said they were emotionally shaken.

A criminal complaint was filed against Ravizza in the Braintree incident on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said he has not been transported to appear in court on those charges.

Connecticut Homicide Investigation

The criminal complaint filed in the Plymouth incident said Connecticut authorities contacted Massachusetts State Police for assistance in performing a check on Ravizza’s Massachusetts residence. He was described as a “person of interest” in a “homicide” investigation.

Connecticut State Police said in a statement Tuesday that Ravizza was identified at the scene of an incident at a home in Deep River on Saturday. Troopers responded to a Merriwold Lane home at 3:36 p.m. following reports that someone "threw a shovel through the front door window pane and then left."

Police said the person was identified as someone staying at a nearby home, where troopers discovered a man with "visible injuries" outside. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities did not provide a cause of death for the man, identified as Bruce Feldman, 70.

Authorities said that Ravizza's belongings were found at the scene and that witnesses provided a description of him. He was not named as a suspect in Feldman's death in Tuesday's statement.

Connecticut State Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Community Impact and Reaction

The series of violent incidents allegedly involving Jared Ravizza has left communities across Massachusetts and Connecticut reeling. Residents in Braintree, Plymouth, and Deep River are grappling with the shock and fear instigated by the attacks.

Local authorities have increased patrols in affected areas and are providing additional resources for community members seeking counseling and support. Schools in the involved towns have also taken measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students, including increased security and availability of mental health services.

As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts and Connecticut are working closely to piece together the timeline of events leading up to Ravizza's arrest. Public safety officials are urging anyone with additional information about Ravizza or the incidents to come forward to aid in the ongoing inquiries.

In the meantime, community leaders are emphasizing the importance of vigilance and support as residents navigate the aftermath of these disturbing events. Efforts are being made to foster a sense of security and solidarity among those impacted by the stabbings and to ensure that justice is served.

Support Systems and Resources

Communities are rallying to provide support to those affected by Ravizza's alleged actions. Mental health professionals are offering counseling services to help individuals process the trauma. Local organizations are setting up support networks for victims and their families, ensuring they have access to necessary resources.

Efforts are also being made to increase public awareness about safety measures and how to respond in emergency situations. Schools and community centers are holding informational sessions to educate residents on recognizing signs of distress and taking appropriate actions.

As the investigation continues, there is a collective resolve among the affected communities to rebuild and recover from these traumatic events. The incidents have highlighted the need for robust mental health support systems and the importance of community resilience in the face of adversity.

The ongoing legal proceedings against Ravizza will be closely monitored, with a focus on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such incidents in the future. The collaboration between law enforcement, community leaders, and support organizations is a testament to the strength and unity of the affected communities.

Future Legal Considerations

As Ravizza undergoes a court-ordered evaluation, the results will play a crucial role in determining his competency to stand trial. If deemed competent, he will face multiple charges across different jurisdictions, potentially leading to separate trials in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Legal experts suggest that the complexity of the cases and the nature of the crimes will require thorough judicial review and likely involve multiple legal teams.

The outcomes of these proceedings will not only impact Ravizza's future but also set a precedent for handling similar multi-state criminal cases involving severe mental health considerations. This case has already drawn significant media attention and public interest, emphasizing the need for a transparent and fair judicial process.

Long-Term Community Healing

In the long term, the affected communities are focused on healing and restoring a sense of normalcy. Community events aimed at bringing people together and fostering a spirit of unity are being planned. These initiatives are crucial for communal recovery and building resilience against future adversities.

Counselors and mental health professionals are working tirelessly to support those traumatized by the events, offering both individual and group therapy sessions. Schools are incorporating mental health education into their curricula to better equip students to handle stress and trauma.

The community's response to these tragic events highlights the importance of solidarity and support in overcoming adversity. By coming together and supporting one another, the residents of Braintree, Plymouth, and Deep River are demonstrating resilience and a commitment to rebuilding a stronger, safer community.