Woman Accused Of Stabbing Boston EMT Held For Mental Evaluation

BOSTON — The woman accused of attacking two Boston EMS paramedics was in Boston Municipal Court Thursday as dozens of paramedics and recruits lined the hallways outside the courtroom in a show of support. Julie Tejeda, 31, of East Boston, was charged with assault with intent to murder, assault on a public employee, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous chemical. Tejeda is also being investigated as a suspect in recent threats at airports, including a bomb threat at Martha’s Vineyard Airport, according to NBC.

After a brief visit with the court's mental health clinician, who told the court Tejeda has a history of mental health issues, the judge ordered Tejeda to undergo a 20-day mental health evaluation before she can be arraigned. She was ordered held without bail for that evaluation.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Erickson told the court that an EMT was helping Tejeda around 4 p.m. Wednesday in an ambulance when the woman stabbed her multiple times. A second EMT who was driving the ambulance intervened and Tejeda used pepper spray on him, Erickson said.

Both EMTs were rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. The EMT who was stabbed underwent emergency surgery and was expected to be released. The other EMT was treated and released Wednesday. The EMTs were not identified by name.

Boston police found Tejeda inside the ambulance near on New Chardon Street, where they arrested her. She was scheduled to return to court July 31.

Boston EMS paramedics are trained to fend off attackers and subdue people who are experiencing mental issues, but violent attacks are rare.

"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," District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. "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. The work that both EMTs did yesterday 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."

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