Three inmates are now charged for the brutal attack at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center earlier this month that injured five correction officers — with one stabbed 12 times and suffering a punctured lung.

“Attacks against our officers will not be tolerated and the serious charges filed against the three individuals demonstrates that the Massachusetts Department of Correction will take action,” interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said in a statement included in the announcement.

Investigators filed criminal complaints against the inmates in Clinton District Court. Jose R. Crespo, 39; Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36; and Jeffrey Tapia are each charged with mayhem, armed assault to murder and assault to murder. Rivera-Negron is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 10, Crespo on Oct. 11, and Tapia on Oct. 15.

The violence went down on Sept. 18. A surveillance video from the attack shows a correction officer walking through a common area with tables and attached chairs when an inmate leaning against a wall lashed out, either with fist or a “shiv,” a makeshift knife.

The officer recovers enough to slam the inmate to the ground but another inmate rushes in and the officer grapples with both until another officer comes to his aid. Then a third officer and a third inmate become involved. Roughly 15 seconds later, several officers join and contain the situation.

The five injured officers were treated at a hospital.

The DOC “increased resources” and added “specialized staff to the facility for the day and evening shifts” as of five days following the event, Jenkins said then.

“This type of violence is unacceptable and now those involved will be held accountable in the court of law. We have and will continue to make the safety and health of our Correctional Officers a priority and appreciate their dedication to the DOC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Commissioner Jenkins wrote in his statement. “Our investigators worked tirelessly since the incident occurred to bring these charges forward.”

Originally Published: September 28, 2024 at 8:55 p.m.

With October only a few days away, EEE remains a threat in the Bay State.

That’s the message from health officials after another horse in Massachusetts tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Four people in the state have been infected with the rare but serious and potentially fatal disease during this busy year of mosquito-borne illnesses. A man in New Hampshire died from EEE.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Thursday announced a third confirmed case of EEE in a horse this year. The horse was exposed to EEE in Carver, an area in Plymouth County that’s already at high risk for EEE.

“This latest animal case of EEE confirms that even this late in the season, the risk for spread of EEE virus from infected mosquitoes is still present,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.

“With more people going outside to enjoy the mild fall weather, we continue to recommend that residents take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites until the first hard frost,” Goldstein added.

There have been 96 EEE-positive mosquito samples in Massachusetts this year.

Infected mosquitoes have been found in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Norfolk, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.

EEE is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The last outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts occurred in 2019–2020, and resulted in 17 human cases with seven deaths, and nine animal cases.

There were no human or animal cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

“Cooler temperatures will start to reduce mosquito activity, but people shouldn’t let their guard down yet,” said State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown. “We continue to strongly advise that everyone in areas at high and critical risk for EEE reschedule evening outdoor activities to avoid peak mosquito biting hours.”

DPH continues to urge people to use bug spray, and to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors.

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