A Worcester woman took up arms with a household broom to fend off a knife-wielding intruder attempting to breach her sanctuary. Sara Kane, whom awoke to the cacophony of a man hammering at her door, recounts the harrowing encounter, which unfolded at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday on Gibbs Street. In a statement obtained by NBC10 Boston, Kane said, "I was like, 'Yo!' And then I just instantly grabbed [the broom] and pushed him like that," demonstrating the very struggle.
The perpetrator, identified as 32-year-old Oniz Janniere, was later arrested by Worcester police and found to be in possession of two 4-inch-long, double-edged knives. Despite being repelled by an initial broomstick bash, Janniere managed to gain entry into the building, leading Kane to retreat and call for aid. "Now he’s at my door, shaking my door," Kane recounted in a harrowing description of the events to NBC10 Boston. A cellphone video later showed police swarming to the scene.
The gallant stand made by Kane was further detailed in an interview with WBZ-TV, where she disclosed her thoughts during the ordeal: "Whether he was having a mental health crisis or substance abuse-related, something was not right, and for some reason I just instantly grabbed the broom, and I just like, boom, I shoved him back." Even after securing herself in her apartment, Kane remained under threat as Janniere shook at her door persistently.
Police arrived within minutes after Kane dialed 911, arriving at 3:09, according to her timing. Officers were met with Janniere's attempted forced entry but promptly handcuffed the assailant. Charged with attempted armed burglary, among other offenses, Janniere's legal representation remains unknown at this time. "Don't judge this man by this one incident. I hope he gets help. I really do," she told WBZ-TV.
