A man being sought as a person of interest in the stabbing of a 91-year-old civil rights pioneer last week in Franklin Park has been identified and is not a suspect, Boston police said Thursday.
The department on Wednesday released images from surveillance footage of the person of interest in the attack on Jean McGuire, who was stabbed while walking her dog around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
That person was identified, police said Thursday afternoon, and officers said the man, with whom they made contact, is no longer a person of interest.
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The department's initial tweet asking for help identifying the person of interest was deleted.
McGuire's attacker is believed to have sustained injuries in the incident and may have needed medical treatment.
The first Black woman elected to the Boston School Committee and the longtime head of the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, or METCO, McGuire spoke while leaving Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Tuesday, a week after the stabbing.
"We take for granted good health care," she said, with her arm in a cast, but sounding and looking as vibrant as ever. "But there's nothing like the high quality that you get at a place like Beth Israel, Boston Medical Center and Tufts, in a city like Boston."
Despite the circumstances, McGuire was filled with humor and gratitude as she was joined by family and her care team at the hospital to share details on her recovery, and announce a new endeavor to give back to the Boston community she loves so much.
The McGuire family expressed their gratitude for not only the care that Jean got from doctors, but also the support from people across the city.
"On behalf of the family, we would like to thank the entire Boston community, family, extended family and friends for being there during this time," one of McGuire's nephews, Mark Williams, said. "I would also like to take a moment for the family to give a special thank you to the two individuals who found our aunt after she was attacked by the assailant."
"They truly saved her life, and the family is extremely, extremely grateful," Williams continued.
McGuire said she doesn't remember much from the attack, but called the people who helped her "angels without wings."
"Their parents should be so proud that they cared enough to get help for somebody laying on the street bleeding," McGuire said. "There's a lot I don't remember. I don't let it bother me now. You all took care of me and so you move on but you do have to be prepared to protect yourself in the future."
