Woman Arrested in EMT Stabbing May Have Trashed Sacred Heart

Two days before Julie Tejeda brutally assaulted a Boston EMT, a woman fitting her description trashed Sacred Heart Church on Brooks Street, and police now suspect that it could have been Tejeda.

Tejeda, 31, of Eastie appeared in Boston Municipal Court last Thursday on a single count of assault with intent to murder and assault on a public employee and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous chemical. Upon the recommendation of the court’s mental health clinician, Judge Sally Kelly ordered Tejeda to undergo a mental health evaluation.  According to District Attorney Rachel Rollins, Tejeda will remain held without bail until her return to court July 31. 

“First and foremost, I’m grateful that the EMT who was violently attacked is recovering today; my thoughts and those of my Office are with her and her family.  I also want to thank her fellow first responder, whose brave and swift actions likely saved his colleague’s life, even as he was assaulted himself,” said District Attorney Rollins.  “The work that both EMTs did was extraordinary in courage, but utterly ordinary for first responders, who put their safety on the line every day that they put on their uniform and go to work.  We owe them our profound appreciation.  I want the victims and their department to know that they have the full support of my Office as the case moves forward, and we are committed to achieving accountability on their behalf.”

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Erickson told the court that the victim, an on-duty EMT, was rendering assistance to the defendant at approximately 4 p.m. last Wednesday when the defendant allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times.  Prosecutors said that the defendant then used pepper spray to further assault the stabbing victim, and a second EMT who was driving the emergency vehicle came to her aid. 

The stabbing victim was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. The second victim was also treated and ultimately released.

Boston Police located the defendant inside the ambulance in the area of 24 New Chardon St.

The Monday before the stabbing the Boston Police Civil Rights Unit launched a probe after a woman smashed a window and defaced the doors  at Sacred Heart Church.

After Tejeda’s arrest last Wednesday Boston Police sources said she was being considered a suspect in the Sacred Heart vandalism.

Tejeda lives around the block from the church and the description of the church vandalism suspect matched Tejeda.

“We don’t know the financial extent of the damage yet,” said Sacred Heart’s Rev. Guy Sciacca in an email to the press. “(The) emotional damage to the parish community is one of complete shock and disbelief. Our parishioners consider Sacred Heart as a second home and treat it as such. They are deeply hurt by this event. They don’t know why anyone would do such a thing to their church. I have encouraged my parishioners to pray for the person who has done this.”

On Wednesday afternoon Tejeda showed up at the Fire Station on Sumner Street and firefighters there believed she was in the midst of a psychotic episode and called for Boston EMTs.

It was during this trip from Eastie to Boston when Tejeda attacked the EMTs.

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