Local

Taunton woman arrested for stabbing hospital employee ‘several times’

TAUNTON, Mass. — A Taunton woman has been arrested in connection to a random stabbing of a Morton Hospital employee in an unprovoked attack that has stunned the region, police said Wednesday.

Victoria Disharoon, 28, was arrested by police in Raynham at approximately 4 p.m., just over two hours after the attack. Police seized a small pocket knife blade, without a handle, that is believed to have been used in the attack.

Disharoon is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. She is expected to be arraigned on Thursday in Taunton District Court.

Taunton Police received multiple tips from the public and from an outside police agency and later identified Disharoon as the suspect.

The victim, who was stabbed outside the hospital while on break, snapped a photo of Disharoon after she had been stabbed and as Disharoon fled the scene. Police later made that photograph public, and sought the public’s help in identifying her.

“This was great police work by our detectives and I want to thank the many people that sent in tips, leading to an arrest in this case,” Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh said.

The incident led the hospital to go into lockdown temporarily, but that lockdown was later lifted, according to Morton Hospital.

At approximately 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Taunton Police responded to Morton Hospital, located at 88 Washington St., for a report of an assault.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victim, a 44-year-old Taunton woman. The victim told police that she did not know Disharoon and that the assault appeared completely random and unprovoked.

The victim told police that she was outside of the hospital on her break when she was approached from behind by a woman, later identified as Disharoon, who forcefully pulled her ponytail and punched her several times in the back. The victim said she felt like she was being stuck with something while being punched.

When the victim walked back into the hospital, she notified a fellow employee that she had just been attacked by a woman outside. Upon examination, it was discovered that the victim had multiple puncture wounds on her shoulders and neck. She received medical care at the hospital, where she was treated and discharged.

Jacqueline Fitts is a nurse and the chairperson of the nurses union at the hospital.

“It was said that this was a random attack, as far she knows, not precipitated by anything,” said Fitts.

Fitts says the victim just started working at the hospital as a secretary.

Fellow hospital staff like Mike Fragga say they are relieved the victim is okay but shocked it happened right outside.

“I was surprised, very surprised. It’s usually a safe neighborhood. I’ve never heard of anything like that happening around here,” Fragga said.

The incident remains under active investigation by Taunton Police detectives. Anyone with any information or who saw anything suspicious in the area at that time is asked to call Detective Robert Kramer at 508-821-1471, Extension 3123.

Morton Hospital issued the following statement regarding the attack on Wednesday:

“Yesterday (9/21), a Morton employee was attacked outside while taking a break on a property adjacent to the hospital, in what appears to be an isolated, random assault. Fortunately, the victim sustained only minor injuries, received outpatient treatment at Morton’s ER including stitches, and chose to finish their shift while also electing to work today,” the statement said.

“Immediately following the incident, Morton dispatched local law enforcement who are conducting an investigation and searching for the assailant. At the time, there was a brief lockdown at the hospital, but it was quickly lifted and the hospital has returned to full operations,” the statement said. “As always, the safety of our staff, patients and community is and will remain our number one priority. Morton will continue to fully cooperate with the law enforcement and assist in their efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect to protect our local community.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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