New details released on stabbing of civil rights activist Jean McGuire

Boston police have released new details in their investigation of the stabbing of civil rights activist Jean McGuire.

On Oct. 11 at 8:29 p.m., police responded to a report of McGuire being stabbed multiple times while walking her dog in Franklin Park in Jamaica Plains. After the incident, McGuire was rushed to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. McGuire is currently in stable condition.

In their investigation, police discovered that McGuire was walking her dog on a path near Seaver Street that leads to Franklin Park on the evening of her alleged attack between 7:55 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Police believe the suspect of the attack also sustained injuries that may have required medical treatment.

Police urge anyone who was in the area during that time to contact detectives at 617-343-4400.

McGuire, 91, was the first Black woman on the Boston School Committee and the executive director of METCO in the early 1970s. METCO was a program designed to desegregate schools by allowing Boston students to attend schools in local suburbs. The program still exists today with students attending schools in over 30 suburbs.

On Oct. 12, several community and city leaders held a press conference in response to McGuires alleged attack.

Shes as positive and vibrant and upbeat as anyone who knows Jean McGuire would expect her to be, even as she sits in that hospital bed, said Kevin Hayden, the Suffolk County District Attorney, and close family friend of McGuire. Hayden also noted that McGuires dog Bailey helped fend off her alleged attacker, according to GBH.

That is miraculous. That is powerful, that is amazing. Her attacker may have met the wrong person last night, Hayden said.

Could her attacker have known that this fierce 91-year-old woman embodies the heart of commitment and initiative that made it possible for tens of thousands of children from Bostons Black and brown neighborhoods to have access to high-quality education and move on to better lives? Milly Arbaje-Thomas, president & CEO of METCO said in a statement.

Could that person have known that she dedicated her life to working for our communitys children, and all the people who struggle every day to gain access to the escalator of economic opportunity? Education is Jean McGuires reason for being! She lives and breathes to provide every child with the opportunity for the best education possible, Arbaje-Thomas said.

In a statement, the family of McGuire expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support McGuire has received from the Greater Boston community.

We as a community can never forget that we need to stand together and continue working to empower our children through learning, McGuires family wrote in a statement. We are at our best as a people; when its about we not me. I love you all and I will see you soon.