Disabled man reaches out to Danvers leader after assault – NBC Boston

Residents of Danvers, Massachusetts, reached out to elected officials Tuesday night following an attack in a park this weekend.

John Anderson, a developmentally disabled man who is popular in town, spoke at the Danvers Select Board meeting and described how he was attacked by a group of teenagers in Plains Park.

“I was always really afraid of them,” Anderson said. “It breaks my heart every day. And I can’t sleep at night. And it’s hard. Can you please do more for me?”

Anderson’s mother says the group of teenagers upset him.

“And then when they almost kill my son, who wouldn’t harm a flea – I’ve made it this far and I want something done about it,” Antoinette Anderson said. “I’ve already hired a lawyer and I’m going to sue them for every damn penny they ever make.”

Residents filled the hearing room Tuesday with complaint after complaint about the 10 to 15 underage boys who allegedly terrorized Danvers.

One woman said the teens spit on her and threw rocks at her.

Much of the frustration was directed at Town Manager Steve Bartha, who will soon be leaving to take the same role in Lexington.

Danvers police said Tuesday that the incident was under investigation.