METHUEN POLICE PRESS RELEASE
DATE: JANUARY 8, 2014
FROM: CAPTAIN RANDY HAGGAR
RE: HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL INCIDENT
On January 8, 2014 at 4:27 p.m. the Methuen Police Department received a call from the Holy Family charge nurse of the Behavioral Health Unit relating a patient had stabbed three individuals within the unit. It was relayed that the patient was already restrained.
Methuen Police Officers immediately responded and confirmed that the situation was contained and no further threats existed to any patients or staff.
As a result of their response and preliminary investigation, Methuen Police Officers and Detectives placed, 20 year old Yan Carlos Nunez, of 62 Bowdoin Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts under arrest for 3 counts of Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon, to wit: Scissors and 3 counts of Assault with intent to Murder.
Preliminary investigation revealed Mr. Nunez, a patient of the Behavioral Health Unit attacked 3 staff members with a pair of scissors. 3 Holy Family Staff members received superficial non-life threatening stab wounds. Victim 1, a female staff member received superficial cuts to the scalp and face, Victim 2, a female received superficial stab wound to the arm, Victim 3, a male received superficial stab wound to the shoulder and neck area. Victim 3, the male received his wounds in the process of subduing Mr. Nunez, preventing him from injuring any further persons.
The above occurred and was contained within a locked unit and at no time was the remaining hospital a threat.
Mr. Nunez remains under arrest and is being held under police guard, contained in a secure area at the Holy Family Hospital until a bedside arraignment will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2014.
The Holy Family Hospital is fully cooperating with this investigation.
To reiterate my above statement, the situation was quickly contained an no threat exists to any staff, patients or public.