Phillip Chism, the Massachusetts high school student who is accused of raping and killing his math teacher, allegedly attacked an employee at a youth services facility in Dorchester, where he is being held pending his trial, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
“The safety and well-being of our staff is of primary concern and a full review of this incident will be conducted to identify any necessary security enhancements at the facility,” Alec Loftus, a Department of Youth Services spokesman said in a statement. WCVB-TV reported that surveillance video showed Chism following the woman into a locker room with a pencil-like object. He allegedly choked and punched her before other staff members pulled him away, the station said. The department is working with law enforcement to investigate the assault, Loftus added Chism will likely face new charges for the attack, WHDH reported.
Chism, 15, is accused of killing his algebra teacher, Colleen Ritzer. Chism, 14 at the time, used a box cutter he’d taken to school to kill Ritzer, 24, on October 22 in a girls’ bathroom at Danvers High School, police and prosecutors said.
Court documents released in November describe surveillance video showing Chism following Ritzer into a school bathroom with gloves and a hood. Footage also shows Chism carrying a recycling bin into the bathroom then dragging it out behind the building. The recycling bin was found near Ritzer’s body, police said.
ourt documents released in November describe surveillance video showing Chism following Ritzer into a school bathroom with gloves and a hood. Footage also shows Chism carrying a recycling bin into the bathroom then dragging it out behind the building. The recycling bin was found near Ritzer’s body, police said
Court Documents released in November describe surveillance video showing Chism following Ritzer into a bathroom with gloves and a hood. Footage also shows Chism carrying a recycling bin into the bathroom then dragging it out behind the building. The recycling bin was found near Ritzer’s body, police said.
Chism pleaded not guilty to aggravated rape, robbery and murder charges in January. He is being tried as an adult.
After Chism was reported missing by his mother on the evening of October 22, police had his cellular phone company “ping” the location of his phone. The phone was found to be near the Hollywood Hits Theater, where investigators learned the teen had purchased a movie ticket and then left.
A court affidavit said that when Chism was spotted by a police officer the next day, he was carrying a knife; a search of his backpack turned up a bloodstained box cutter. Asked where the blood came from, Chism allegedly responded: “The girl.” He was also allegedly carrying credit cards and driver’s licenses belonging to Ritzer, as well as a pair of women’s underwear.
Police discovered Ritzer’s body in a wooded area near the school, covered with leaves and debris in an apparent attempt to conceal it, court papers said. Her throat was slit.
