A 67-year-old woman was violently attacked and repeatedly stabbed after a man snatched her purse in LA's Chinatown this Sunday, as reported by KABC. The assailant, later apprehended by police, launched the assault at about 3:30 p.m. on the 700 block of North Broadway.
The victim, determined to protect possessions she deemed invaluable, clung to her purse, as captured by a witness statement to KABC: "The victim [fell down] on the ground ... she tried to hold on to her bag," reported Chester Chong, Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles. The pursuit for her belongings turned violent as the suspect used a knife to stab the woman numerous times before also assaulting a male bystander with the knife handle, according to the LAPD.
In a demonstration of community concern, some people present at the scene attempted to intervene. "A lot of people were around him and tried to punch him, and then he got his knife out. That's why everybody, you know, backed up," Emily Giang, a witness, told KABC. Fortunately, the victims' injuries are not considered life-threatening, however the trauma inflicted extends beyond physical wounds.
In response to the fear permeating through the community, security measures and caution are being stressed. "We're so scared," Giang expressed to KABC, alluding to the substantial need for protection in a neighborhood typically frequented by elderly residents. Chong is advising city dwellers to safeguard not just their physical well-being but also their items with discretion. "Just let go, and also, don't bring any important documents in your hand," he cautioned. Meanwhile, the suspect, a 26-year-old male, faces serious charges, including attempted murder, with bond set at $2 million, and is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Tuesday, according to jail records cited by NBC Los Angeles. Anyone with further information on the crime is urged to step forward and contact the authorities.
