Danvers police arrest a teenager for allegedly attacking a man with developmental delays

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with an attack that occurred last weekend in a Danvers park involving a resident with developmental delays. This incident sparked strong backlash in the city.

Danvers police arrested the suspect around 1:30 p.m., a day nearly a week after the attack in the area of ​​Holten Richmond Middle School and Plains Park last Saturday.

Officers charged the teen with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault to intimidate due to a disability and assault on a person with a mental disability.

“The Danvers Police Department continues to work closely with the Essex County District Attorney’s Office on this active and ongoing investigation,” the department said in a social media post Friday. “To protect the integrity of the investigation and because juveniles are involved, no further details can be released at this time.”

Officers responded to a reported assault around 4:20 p.m. last Saturday and found a victim, later identified as Chris “Ducky” Anderson, 43, injured. Emergency responders took the man to Beverly Hospital for evaluation before he was later released.

“I was scared to death of them, these kids,” Anderson told the select committee at a meeting Tuesday. “I want you to know this with all my heart. It just breaks my heart every day and I can’t sleep… Can you please do more for me?”

Residents shared Anderson’s experiences and concerns with unruly children. Business owners also told the Select Board that the out-of-control behavior is impacting their businesses and called for an increased police presence.

Anderson’s mother, Antoinette Anderson, emphasized that she had “many encounters” with the teenagers, whom she described as a “bunch of gangsters.” Interactions included children giving her the middle finger and yelling at her when she drove past them, she said.

“I’m sick to death,” Anderson said. “If they almost killed my son, who wouldn’t harm a flea, I’ve made it this far. I want something to be done about it. Trust me when I tell you, I have already hired a lawyer and I will sue them for every damn penny they will ever make.”

Select Board Chairman Daniel Bennett apologized to Chris Anderson for the experience he endured. Bennett said he will ask the police chief to speak to the panel next month about his plans to address rowdy behavior.

“The actions of a group of teenagers, as reported to me, are extremely concerning,” Bennett said, reading from an email he sent to a concerned mother. “Trust this board to take this violation seriously and we will communicate to our police department to take all necessary steps to curb these strange incidents.”