A 34-year-old man is accused of threatening to blow up Tufts Medical Center, along with making racist remarks toward hospital staff, police said.
Hanover man Graham Abraham has been arrested and charged in connection with calling up the Boston hospital and making a bomb threat.
A Tufts Medical staff member on Feb. 2 reported to Tufts public safety officers that a former patient, later identified as Abraham, called the hospital and made racist remarks along with complaints regarding his experience.
Then about 30 minutes later, another staff member took a call from Abraham and reported that Abraham said, “Everybody is going to die.”
Officers reportedly reviewed the audio from the recorded phone line, and heard Abraham make threats and racist slurs such as: “All (expletive) in your (expletive) vomit hospital must die. (Inaudible) ready to bomb and blow up your hospital. Got guns and knives kill all (expletive). All (expletive) must die. (Expletive) roaches and scum of the earth. All (expletive) must be slaughtered and killed.”
Abraham reportedly made numerous calls to Tufts between Jan. 15 and Feb. 2, all with similar threats.
Police departments, including Transit and Amtrak police, are familiar with Abraham and his frequent calls. Amtrak received 78 calls from Abraham in January, including disturbing statements and bomb threats. Amtrak police have issued a trespass order and banned Abraham from all Amtrak facilities.
Abraham has also been flagged by the ATF and cannot legally purchase a firearm.
“We must take all forms of threats seriously,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “The challenge to law enforcement is finding a balance between a person’s mental health needs and the public’s right to be safe and secure in all settings.
“This defendant has made numerous threats and disturbing statements to individuals and institutions that have helped or tried to help him in some way,” Hayden added. “We’re moving forward with criminal action here because it is clearly necessary to prevent potential public harm.”
Abraham has been charged with bomb/hijack threat with serious public alarm.
Judge Mark Summerville ordered Abraham held on $5,000 bail, and to stay away from Tufts Medical Center. Mental health services for Abraham were recommended after an evaluation by a court clinician.
Abraham is also facing charges of threat to commit a crime, and assault and disorderly conduct in BMC Central in relation to two separate incidents. He’s due back in court for all three cases on April 3.
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