Man assaults woman for not saying good morning

In July 2023, an incident occurred in Dorchester, Massachusetts, where a 34-year-old man named Ian Atkinson assaulted a 59-year-old woman. The confrontation began when Atkinson, upset that the woman did not greet him with a 'good morning,' verbally attacked her while she was watering her plants. After she began filming him with her cellphone, Atkinson escalated the situation by exiting his vehicle and physically assaulting her. He punched her multiple times and could have seriously injured her by throwing her against a fence, leading to severe injuries including a broken nose and contusions. After the attack, he attempted to drive his car toward her, further endangering her life. The entire attack was captured on video, providing crucial evidence for the authorities. Police arrived shortly after the incident, finding the woman injured and necessitating a trip to the hospital for treatment. The Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden later reported that Atkinson was on GPS monitoring at the time, having a prior conviction for similar behavior. Following a swift three-day bench trial, the judge convicted Atkinson of assault and battery and assault with a dangerous weapon, sentencing him to two years in state prison along with two years of probation. The victim's bravery in recording the incident not only helped secure a conviction but also drew attention to the serious issue of violence stemming from seemingly trivial social interactions.