A horrifying incident occurred recently when four young girls were stabbed in an unprovoked attack at an AMC theater in Braintree, Massachusetts.
The man responsible for the attack has been identified as Jared Ravizza, a 26-year-old from Martha’s Vineyard. Ravizza continued his violent spree by stabbing two additional victims at a nearby McDonald’s before leading the police on a high-speed chase.
The events began on Saturday, May 25, 2024, around 6 p.m. when Ravizza walked into the AMC Braintree 10 theater without buying a ticket. The victims, aged nine to 17, were in the theater watching the family-oriented movie “IF”, starring Ryan Reynolds. Suddenly, Ravizza, who was noticeable with his long blond hair, attacked the girls with a knife, laughing throughout the incident.
The girls were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, treated, and later released.
The mother of three of the victims, Lisa Dembowski, recounted the terrifying moments to a Boston-based media outlet. “They had just taken their seats and gotten their snacks when I received a call from my sister saying my oldest daughter had contacted her, urgently telling me to get to the AMC movie theater immediately because they had been stabbed,” Dembowski said. She rushed to the theater to find her daughters and their friend had been attacked.
Dembowski stated that when the girls informed theater employees about the incident, they were initially not believed. The girls had to contact the police themselves.
The Braintree Police Department confirmed that the attack on the girls was unprovoked and without warning. The suspect then fled the scene.
After leaving the theater, Ravizza drove to a McDonald’s in Plymouth, Massachusetts, approximately 30 miles away. He reportedly stabbed a 29-year-old male employee from the drive-thru window, then entered the restaurant and stabbed a 21-year-old female employee. Both victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities were able to quickly identify Ravizza due to surveillance footage, witness descriptions, and his distinctive appearance. He was spotted by the Massachusetts State Police driving a black 2018 Porsche Macan, which led to a car chase ending in Sandwich, Massachusetts when Ravizza crashed his vehicle.
Ravizza was arrested around 7:15 p.m. and taken to the hospital for treatment. He is facing several charges, including assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as stated by Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz.
Ravizza is also being investigated for possible involvement in a murder case in Deep River, Connecticut, where a body was discovered earlier that day.
The Connecticut State Police had earlier issued an alert for Ravizza, describing him as “armed and dangerous” with a large knife. After his capture in Massachusetts, they confirmed there was no longer a threat to the public.
The community of Braintree has been shaken by the attacks. Lisa Dembowski expressed her disappointment with the AMC employees who, according to her, did not initially believe the girls’ story and did not take immediate action. AMC has announced a comprehensive review of the incident and promised visible security measures at the Braintree location.
As the investigation continues, Ravizza remains in police custody. Neighbors and acquaintances from Martha’s Vineyard described him as a troubled individual with a history of erratic behavior.
While the victims are physically recovering, the motive for the attacks remains undetermined, leaving the community in shock and sparking discussions on the importance of effective responses to emergencies and security measures in public places.
