Two women were stabbed and sexually assaulted in separate surprise attacks on local streets early this morning. The Boston Police Department is telling residents to be alert and asking for help in identifying suspects, generally described as white men in their 20s. Both victims’ injuries are described as “non-life-threatening.”
The first attack was around 2 a.m. in the area of Vancouver Street and Huntington Avenue, around the Wentworth Institute of Technology. The victim reported a man jumped out of some bushes, attacked her from behind and attempted to sexually assault her. The attacker stabbed her in the leg during a struggle, but she was able to escape. The suspect in that attack is described as a white man in his 20s, blond or brownish hair, 6 feet tall, wearing a blue plaid shirt and khaki shorts.
BPD has released images, apparently taken from local security cameras, showing a man “wanted for questioning” who resembles that description.
The second attack was around 2:50 a.m. in the area of Huntington Avenue and Parker Hill Street in the Mission Hill residential neighborhood. The victim reported that a man attacked her from behind and knocked her to the ground. The victim was stabbed in the hand during the struggle, but escaped. The suspect in that case is described as a white man in his early 20s; brownish wavy hair; 5-feet-7-inches to 6 feet tall; and wearing a white or gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Residents are urged to take safety precautions, including not walking alone at night and not using a cell phone or other device that can be distracting.
Anyone with information about either attack, or who believes they can identify the man in the images, can contact District B-2 detectives at 617-343-4275 or anonymously by calling 1-800-494-8477 or by texting the word “TIP” to 27463.
From press materials.
Updated version: This story has been updated with the BPD photos.
The man wanted for questioning in the June 15 attacks. (Image Courtesy Boston Police Department.)
