News Summary
Gregory Watford, a 46-year-old former custodian from Brockton, has been charged with assaulting three employees of Boston Public Schools. During an aggressive confrontation outside the Mildred Avenue K–8 School, he injured a custodian and a safety officer. Watford fled the scene but was later arrested. He has been released on GPS monitoring and ordered to stay away from the victims. The incident raises serious concerns about safety in schools, and the educational community is focused on ensuring such acts do not recur.
Brockton Man Charged with Assaulting Three Boston Public Schools Employees
In a shocking turn of events for the Boston Public Schools community, a 46-year-old man from Brockton faces serious legal troubles after being charged with assaulting three employees. Gregory Watford, a former custodian for the school district, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Boston Municipal Court’s Dorchester Division, which took place earlier this week.
What Happened?
The incident that led to Watford’s charges occurred on October 10 at around 10:47 a.m. Outside the Mildred Avenue K–8 School in Mattapan, three workers were outside raking leaves when they were approached by Watford in what was described as an aggressive manner. Witnesses reported that before starting the assault, he expressed anger over unspecified grievances by stating, “You all cost me money.”
Details of the Assault
According to reports, Watford first targeted a custodian, delivering a punch that resulted in the victim falling to the ground and suffering a broken leg and ankle. The violence didn’t stop there; Watford went on to punch a second custodian, who suffered a fractured jaw after being thrown to the ground. The third victim, a safety officer, attempted to intervene and block Watford from entering the school premises. Unfortunately, she also fell victim to Watford’s aggression when he swung at her, knocking her phone out of her hand. The altercation escalated further, leading to the safety officer being struck by the door as Watford made his exit, causing her a fractured clavicle.
A Quick Escape
After the chaotic events unfolded, Watford fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive. This prompted the police to issue a warrant for his arrest. Thankfully, Watford was apprehended and subsequently appeared in court.
Legal Proceedings
During the court proceedings, Judge Jonathan Tynes made the decision to release Watford on personal recognizance but implemented GPS monitoring to ensure compliance with the conditions of his release. As part of these conditions, Watford has been ordered to stay away from both the Mildred Avenue K–8 School and the victims involved in the incident. His attorney has pointed out that there are longstanding issues between Watford and the individuals involved, asserting his client’s innocence in the matter.
Responses from the Education Community
In light of this unsettling incident, Boston Public Schools has released a statement confirming their awareness of the situation and noted that Watford is no longer employed within the district. They have expressed a strong commitment to cooperating with law enforcement and emphasized their seriousness regarding the allegations that have surfaced.
Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden has voiced concerns over the violent nature of the incident occurring on school grounds, which undeniably raises questions about safety in an environment meant for learning and nurturing. He has extended his wishes for a thorough recovery to the victims who were injured during the altercation.
What’s Next?
As the case unfolds, Watford is scheduled to return to court on January 17. The educational community is surely hoping for a resolution that will allow everyone involved to move forward positively, while also ensuring that such incidents are not repeated, reinforcing the need for a safe school environment for all.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston’s Downtown Crossing Faces Surge in Crime
Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Boston.com
- WHDH
- MassLive
- Hoodline
- Wikipedia: Boston Public Schools
- Google Search: Boston Public Schools
- Google Scholar: Boston Public Schools assault
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- Google News: Boston Public Schools assault
