A violent encounter left a woman fighting for her life in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park after she was viciously attacked in broad daylight. The incident, which took place on a marked trail near Five-Mile Drive, occurred on February 10 when 27-year-old Nicholas Matthew allegedly stabbed the woman multiple times, as reported by KOMO News.
The seemingly random attack began when Matthew approached the victim, who offered to let him pass her on the trail. Declining the offer with a laugh, he then proceeded to turn to violence quickly. According to the victim's account in court documents, he struck her and began repeatedly to stab her, FOX 13 Seattle reported. During the ordeal, the woman bravely fought back and even offered money to the assailant in a desperate move to stop the attack.
Chilling details from the court documents include Matthew telling the woman to tilt her head back so she "wouldn't be in pain anymore," coupled with the statement: "soon you won't feel any pain. You need to meet your maker." First-degree attempted murder is the charge that now hangs over Matthew following his arrest.
As the attack unfolded, passersby came upon the horrific scene and intervened courageously to save the woman's life. Describing the frightening moment, a witness recounted how they heard the victim's cries for help and rushed to the scene, saying to FOX 13 Seattle, "Initially, my first thought when I ran up was ‘just get his attention on me, get his attention off of her and onto me,'" before they managed to subdue the attacker and end the brutal assault.
The suspect, Nicholas Matthew, was later apprehended by authorities and is awaiting trial. The victim's identity has not been released. She survives the attack and continues to recover from the multiple stab wounds inflicted upon her by an assailant whose motive remains a disturbing mystery.
