The woman accused of assaulting two emergency medical technicians in downtown Boston earlier this week, stabbing one of them, will undergo psychiatric evaluation after lawyers expressed concern about her mental health.
Julie Tejeda, 31, of East Boston, had been scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges of assault with intent to murder and other offenses for the attack. Tejeda allegedly stabbed an EMT in the back of an ambulance and sprayed a Mace-like chemical at a second EMT.
The wounded EMT was released from the hospital Thursday night, according to Boston Emergency Medical Services.
Both the prosecution and defense had concerns about Tejeda's mental health.
Ahead of the arraignment, over 100 EMTs filled a Boston courthouse to show their support for their two injured colleagues, who are recovering from the attacks.
Among them was Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins, who called the wounded EMTs' work "extraordinary in courage, but utterly ordinary for first responders" in a statement.
"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," Rollins said.
Meanwhile, police are investigating whether Tejeda also called in bomb threats to airports in Martha's Vineyard and Washington, D.C. earlier this week, the NBC10 Boston Investigators reported.
The EMTs responded Wednesday afternoon to a call of a possibly "emotionally disturbed" person. As the three were on the way from East Boston to Massachusetts General Hospital, Tejeda became combative.
She allegedly stabbed one of the EMTs four times while the ambulance was traveling near Government Center, Michael MacNeil, the president of the EMS union, told the NBC10 Boston Investigators.
A second EMT who was driving the ambulance pulled over to help the first victim but was sprayed with a Mace-like chemical by Tejeda, officials said.
"I can't say enough of the EMTS and paramedics who took care of her last night," Boston EMS Chief James Hooley said. "She did lose a terrific amount of blood, but the folks at Mass General did a terrific job because they all know her. She works in East Boston."
#BREAKING: A MASSIVE show of support as more than 100 @BOSTON_EMS pack municipal court in support of paramedic stabbed yesterday.
— Eli Rosenberg NBC10 Boston (@EliNBCBoston) July 11, 2019
Suspect set to make her first court appearance this morning. @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/wMzweCUJV7
The EMT who was stabbed is a 14-year veteran of the force and her partner is a 10-year veteran.
The stabbing was released from Massachusetts General Hospital Thursday evening and will continue her recovery from home, EMS said in a statement.
She was reportedly awake and surrounded by loved ones and co-workers in the hospital on Wednesday night.
The second EMT injured was also treated and released.
EMS is not identifying either of the injured technicians, writing, "We ask for continued respect for their privacy and the privacy of their families."
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Tejeda faces three assault and battery charges, police said.
