“I think they are terrified that they could just go to a movie on a Saturday night, and this could happen — someone could just walk into a movie theater and do this,” Dembowski said.
The attacks on the four girls were part of a violent night in the region Saturday, as authorities said a Chilmark man stabbed two McDonald’s workers in Plymouth, then crashed his Porsche while trying to flee State Police in Sandwich.
Authorities have arrested Jared Ravizza, 26, who faces a slew of charges, including assault with intent to murder, in connection with the restaurant attack, and is due to be arraigned Tuesday at Plymouth District Court, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz.
State Police and Braintree police each have said the crimes in Braintree and Plymouth appear connected; two law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation confirmed to the Globe Sunday that Ravizza is being investigated for the theater attack.
Ravizza was previously arrested in April by West Tisbury police on Martha’s Vineyard and charged with assault and battery on a family or household member, along with vandalism, after he allegedly attacked his father, according to records at Edgartown District Court.
In a police report on file with the court, Ravizza’s father told officers that Ravizza “had just had a mental break and attacked him” inside his home, and the father suffered marks to his face, thumb, and wrist, according to police. Ravizza also wrecked his father’s home office, the report said.
He was sent to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for a mental health evaluation, but Ravizza “did not meet their standards to be held,″ the report said. According to court records, the Edgartown case was directed to pretrial diversion, with a session scheduled for November.
On Sunday, the investigation into the stabbing attacks remained ongoing, but there was no sign that Ravizza knew any of his alleged victims. In Plymouth, the attack occurred following a pay dispute, officials have said.
Dembowski told a pool reporter Sunday that she has no idea who attacked her daughters and their friend at the Braintree theater, or why.
“I hope he gets what he deserves. I mean, I understand mental health, I’m a counselor. … I think it’s a pretty sick individual to harm children,” Dembowski said.
Her oldest daughter suffered an injury to her back, another was wounded in the top of her chest, and the other twin was cut across her arm, according to Dembowski. She said AMC employees didn’t believe the girls when they said they’d been stabbed, and her 17-year-old had to call police.
A worker at the theater directed a reporter to an AMC media hotline Sunday. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
The girls were taken to Boston Medical Center “due to the nature of the wounds,” she said.
Dembowski said she was proud of her eldest daughter’s cool-headedness during the attack.
“I give her an enormous amount of credit, because in my mind … her and her friend kept the two little ones completely calm,” Dembowski said.
Dembowski praised the work of police and EMTs who responded to the scene following the attack: “They were so empathetic and so kind,” she said. Hospital staffers who treated the four girls also helped keep them calm, she said.
She remains frustrated that her children and their friend were victims of violence.
“It makes parents sick to bring their kids anywhere or let them go anywhere without them,” she said.
After the attack in Braintree, the assailant fled in a black SUV, authorities have said.
About an hour later, in Plymouth, police received multiple 911 calls reporting that two workers inside the McDonald’s at the Route 3 rest area had been stabbed around 7 p.m. Both workers were hospitalized for knife lacerations, according to Cruz.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the restaurant and said it appears to show Ravizza “allegedly reach through the drive-thru window and stab the male victim with a large knife,” the statement said.
McDonald’s did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Ravizza left the drive-thru in an SUV, parked the car, entered the McDonald’s, and stabbed the woman, according to Cruz. He then returned to his car and fled the area.
A witness at the McDonald’s reported the plate registration on Ravizza’s black 2018 Porsche Macan to Massachusetts State Police, and it was determined the vehicle was registered to him, Cruz’s statement said.
State Police tried to pull Ravizza’s Porsche over, but he didn’t stop, and the vehicle crashed a short time later, officials have said.
He was arrested in Sandwich at about 7:15 p.m. by State Police and local police on Cotuit Road near the intersection of Asa Meiggs Road, according to Sandwich Police Chief Jason Keene. Ravizza was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Cruz. Ravizza remained at the hospital Sunday.
Massachusetts authorities have also learned that an alert to law enforcement agencies had been issued for Ravizza’s arrest because of “other incidents,” Cruz’s statement said.
State Police in Connecticut reported a fatal stabbing that ended with a suspect being taken into custody by Massachusetts State Police on Saturday. Authorities in Connecticut or Massachusetts haven’t confirmed whether Ravizza was a suspect in that case.
The victim in the Connecticut stabbing was found dead at “an address” in Deep River, Conn., after police responded to a report of a disturbance there at 3:36 p.m. Saturday, Connecticut State Police said.
The victim’s identity was not confirmed Sunday.
“A suspect in this investigation has been taken into custody in the State of Massachusetts and there is no active threat to the public,” Connecticut State Police said in a brief statement. They referred additional questions about any connection to the Massachusetts State Police.
A Massachusetts State Police spokesperson would not confirm a connection between Ravizza and the Connecticut death Sunday.
Mike Bello and Nick Stoico of the Globe staff contributed to this report
John Hilliard can be reached at [email protected]. Daniel Kool can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @dekool01.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
