HYANNIS — A man accused of randomly stabbing a teenage girl at a Dollar Tree in Massachusetts is being held without bail, with a doctor saying he has a long history of mental illness.
Alleged random attack
It happened shortly after 12:30 Thursday afternoon at the Dollar Tree in Hyannis. Police said the girl was standing at the checkout counter with her mother when 31-year-old Nikolas Rescigno approached from behind and stabbed her in the lower back. He then allegedly remained at the scene and stared at the girl before being taken into custody.
The teenage girl was taken to hospital and is expected to be OK.
“We were all nervous yesterday because we thought it could have been any of us. We’re in that store all the time,” said Lainie Simoneau, who manages the Aveda store next door.
History of mental illness
Rescigno had an arrest warrant out for another alleged knife attack at the Cape Cod Mall last year. On Friday, a doctor charged with assessing competency said he has a criminal history and a long history of mental illness dating back to 2013.
“Mr. Rescigno refused to speak to me,” said Dr. Jennifer McAlister. “However, he has a long history of mental illness and has been admitted to Bridgewater State Hospital twice in the past.”
The teenage girl’s family left the complaint extremely upset without commenting.
A man who said he was in the closed area with Rescigno before his arraignment told WBZ-TV that he did not appear very stable.
“His lawyer went over and tried to talk to him, but he doesn’t say a word,” Jake Sias said. “He doesn’t say anything, he just walks in circles.”
Rescigno will undergo another mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital. He is due to appear in court again later this month.
Paul Burton
