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Police: Woman Assaults 71-Year-Old at MBTA's Harvard Square Station

A Boston woman is facing charges after MBTA Transit Police say she assaulted and threatened a woman at the transit agency's Harvard Square station last week in Cambridge.

Transit Police said 23-year-old Jada Campbell is facing assault and battery on a person over 60, intimidation of a witness, and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on Friday afternoon.

Authorities responded to Harvard Square at 5 p.m. for a report of an assault. When they arrived, a 71-year-old woman told authorities she had entered a crowded train and saw that all the seats were occupied.

The victim said she saw a woman, later identified as Campbell, taking up a seat with her purse. Authorities said when the woman asked her politely if she could move her purse so she could sit down, Campbell refused.

According to Transit Police, the victim then handed the purse to Campbell and tried to sit. Campbell became enraged and physically threatened to harm the victim.

As the victim became frightened and tried to move away, Campbell stood up and allegedly struck the victim in the back of the head with a closed fist.

Authorities said Campbell was placed into custody after a struggle. It's unclear when she will be arraigned or if she has an attorney.

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