Bees unleashed in attack on deputies during eviction enforcement, Hampden County sheriff says
LONGMEADOW, Mass. October 20 2022
Deputies assigned to enforce an eviction in western Massachusetts said they were attacked by a woman armed with a swarm of bees.
The deputies were enforcing the eviction at 49 Memery Lane in Longmeadow at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 12 when a blue Nissan Xterra pulled up, Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi said in a statement. The SUV was driven by 55-year-old Rorie Susan Woods, of Hadley, the sheriff said.
“A Sheriff’s deputy tried to stop her, but as the agitated bees started getting out and circling the area, he pulled back,” the sheriff wrote in a statement. “She then smashed the lid, and flipped a hive off of the flatbed, making the bees extremely aggressive. They swarmed the area and stung several officers and other innocent bystanders who were nearby.”
Woods donned a beekeeper’s suit and carried a tower of bees to the front door of the home, where she tried to further agitate the bees, Cocchi said. The sheriff said this was an attempt to stop the eviction process.
“This woman, who traveled here, put lives in danger as several of the staff on scene are allergic to bees,” Cocchi said in a statement provided by his office. “We had one staff member go the hospital and luckily, he was alright or she would be facing manslaughter charges. I support people’s right to protest peacefully but when you cross the line and put my staff and the public in danger, I promise you will be arrested.”
Woods is facing four counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and one count of disorderly conduct. She was booked at the Western Mass. Regional Women’s Correctional Facility.
“We are always prepared for protests when it comes to evictions, but a majority of the groups who protest understand that we are just doing our statutory duty in accordance with state law,” said Cocchi. “And they appreciate how we go above and beyond to help the people being evicted with anything they need from food and temporary shelter, to longterm housing, employment, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment.”
